Townsend optimistic on future but is it 'time for change'?

Gregor Townsend says he has "a lot of optimism for the future" as Scotland head coach, but former international team-mate Peter Wright says "it's time for a change" after eight years.

Defeat by France in Paris consigned the Scots to a fourth-place Six Nations finish for the second successive season.

Of Townsend's eight attempts at the tournament, Scotland have finished in the bottom half of the table on six occasions, with two third-place finishes the best his team has achieved in that time.

It was another Six Nations of unfulfilled promise, with victories over Italy and Wales and defeats by Ireland, England and the champions France.

And Wright believes a new voice in charge may be what the team needs to break through to finally become credible challengers.

"I don't like saying this, but I genuinely think it's a time for a change at the top end," Wright told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"Gregor's been here a long time and he's changed and he's made the team play some great, exciting rugby.

"But ultimately he's not had any real success in the Six Nations or the World Cups - out twice before the knockout stages, although we've had two really tough groups.

"It's one thing about changing the style and being exciting and good to watch, but ultimately we want to try and be competing at the top end.

"Are we delusional to think that we're actually good enough to compete at the top end? I would say with this group of players, we should be.

"I think Gregor's a really good coach, and I think the guys he's got round about him are good guys, but maybe it's just a new voice that's needed."

Townsend 'more encouraged by this year'

Townsend admits Scotland fell short of their own expectations in the Six Nations, this season but believes this side is still moving in the right direction.

"I felt we were building towards our best tournament this year," he told BBC Scotland. "We came very close last year to finishing in the top two.

"This year, having the display against South Africa, then the win against Australia, leading into the tournament, we all felt confident this would be a better tournament. But it didn't happen.

"We're up against quality sides. I don't think any team delivers their best performance over the five games - there was no Grand Slam again this year.

"I've actually been more encouraged this year by how we played than I was last year.

"The mix of our carrying, our defence and the speed we play through the back line, it gives me a lot of optimism for the future. But it wasn't to be this season."

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