Scottish Rugby

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

Head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking at a tense media conference as Scotland prepare to face Tonga in the wake of losing a 21-0 lead against Argentina last weekend.

Here are the key lines:

• Does Townsend expect a review of the failures of the autumn against New Zealand and Argentina? "I don't know," he said. "We review every campaign, but you'd have to ask someone else on that."

• On the Murrayfield crowd booing after the loss to Argentina: "We sensed the disappointment in the crowd, it was like an exhale of disappointment and nobody's hurting as much as us as a group. But sometimes those real painful moments as a group that you live through, you come through stronger."

• Townsend says it has been "a big week of meetings, honesty, a real deep dive on how we could be better".

• He argued that the best of his side has been on show in sections of games in the autumn: "I've seen the team play the best rugby it's played in the eight years over the last two or three weeks…I do believe we've seen the best of the players throughout this campaign, up until the last 25 minutes."

• Townsend says there has been an increased demand for tickets for Sunday's game: "The supporters are coming out in huge numbers. We've actually had a spike after the game at the weekend and I don't think they were all from Tonga buying tickets."

• He stresses there is no acceptance of defeat among the players: "We have no right to beat every team in the world. But we believe we can. And I feel, and more than feel, I've seen how our team has gone up against the best teams in the world and be really disappointed not to have won, like New Zealand, like South Africa the year before."

• How does he explain the drop-off in performance mid-game against New Zealand and Argentina? "That's rugby, that's sport," he replied. "Look at New Zealand. During 20-30 minutes against us, they hardly touched the ball and were on their try line. Argentina, the first half, they were 21-0 down."

• He adds: "So that happens to the best teams. What we need to do, and what we spoke a lot about this week, is when that momentum does start to go in the favour of the opposition, we need to find a way to win it back."

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson says Gregor Townsend is still the right man to lead the national team despite overseeing a disappointing Autumn Nations Series.

After an 85-0 blowout victory against a weak USA side, the Scots were edged out by New Zealand before collapsing from 21-0 up to lose to Argentina.

Tonga are the visitors to Murrayfield for the final match of the series on Sunday.

Lawson, whose last international appearance was the infamous 2012 loss to Tonga at Pittodrie which led to the departure of then head coach Andy Robinson, told BBC Scotland: "Naturally the buck stops with the head coach.

"When you look at the recent win rate, it's not where anybody wants it to be and I think Gregor will be fully aware of that and he'll be incredibly disappointed.

"I always look at the good stuff and then the negative stuff and they typically tend to balance each other out in many ways.

"I think for Scotland, they had a lot of good against the All Blacks, didn't get the result. They did loads of good stuff against Argentina and then were blown away by a bench that came on for Argentina.

"I think for Gregor it's a short stint moving into the World Cup now. That'll come around really quickly and I believe with this group he is the right man to go forward."

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your questions after Scotland lost to Argentina before wrapping up the Autumn Nations Series against Tonga this weekend.

Scott asked: Realistically, is there even a chance Gregor Townsend goes before overseeing another World Cup?

Andy answered: I would be very surprised if Townsend departs in the immediate future. I expect him to still be in charge come the 2026 Six Nations.

Having handed Townsend a new contract just a few months ago, I'm not convinced there will be any appetite from those at the top of Scottish Rugby to make a change, perhaps in part for fear of that being taken as an admission they got it wrong in sticking with the head coach in the summer.

Nobody from Murrayfield is, on or off the record, giving anything away as to what the hierarchy make of what has been a disappointing Autumn Nations Series.

Another underwhelming Six Nations for Scotland may ultimately force their hand, though David Nucifora, the man who will presumably make the call, is famously not one to be swayed by public opinion.

Mark asked: Is it fair fans should vent their fury at Townsend or is this just part and parcel of the populist bashing era we now live in? Even Matt Williams with his abysmal record never received the same level of vitriol!

Andy answered: The fans who paid their money – a big chunk of change it is too – to watch the team at Murrayfield were perfectly entitled to voice their displeasure with the booing at full-time after the capitulation against Argentina.

Punters are also well within their rights to be critical of the man leading their national team, but what isn't acceptable is when that criticism steps over the line into personal abuse. Townsend is a good man who is fiercely passionate about Scottish rugby.

Many will feel he has been in the job too long, and I am one of them. What is deeply unfair is those who claim he has been a complete and utter failure.

Townsend's teams have produced moments and memories that deserve appreciation and respect. It just feels like his Scotland have hit their ceiling and it's time for a fresh voice.

Jack asked: Have Scotland ever done any work with sports psychologists? Seems like we are so mentally weak and that's what has let us down throughout the Townsend tenure. Has that ever been addressed?

Andy answered: Townsend has brought in a host of leading sports psychologists over the years to help with the mental side of the game, the latest being Jess Thom, the former competitive figure skater who was the British Olympic team's lead psychologist at the Paris Games in 2024.

Aaron Walsh, the experienced mental skills coach, worked with the team before that.

Several Scotland players have spoken about the positive influence these specialists have had on the group and on them as individual players.

So the work has gone in to try and resolve the mentality problems that seem to be a recurring issue, but it would seem there is still more work to be done.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland's failure to respond to momentum swings in Test matches "is not good enough", says assistant coach Peter Horne, who vows that lessons will be learned after Sunday's "devastating" loss to Argentina.

The Scots led 21-0 before a second-half capitulation allowed the Pumas to roar back for a 33-24 victory at Murrayfield.

It is not the first time Gregor Townsend's side have veered from domination to desperation. They romped into a 27-0 lead against Wales in the 2024 Six Nations, only to be left hanging on for a 27-26 victory.

In that same tournament, Scotland surrendered a 12-point lead to lose to Italy in Rome.

In this season's Six Nations, they led Wales 35-8 at Murrayfield but were given an almighty scare as the visitors fought back to 35-29.

"Because we've lost and the manner of the defeat, we've went into absolutely everything, and to a degree we were absolutely devastated after the game," said Horne.

"I think it's tough when you lose momentum in a Test match, it's difficult to wrestle it back. At club rugby, the swings are nowhere near the same.

"Argentina were excellent, but it's made us really look at what we need to be better at. When we lose momentum, it's not good enough the way we're responding to it, and we need to be able to find a solution to wrestle it back.

"We can't be shipping three, four, five tries - that's just not good enough. We had a look at the New Zealand game from the week before as well as coaches, and there was 20 minutes of that game where we were the opposite, we had that complete wave of momentum, we were killing them.

"They had some smart plays, a little bit of gamesmanship in there, but also we come back to we have to lean back in and solve problems as a team."

There's plenty for Andy Burke and Tom English to discuss after Scotland collapsed to defeat against Argentina at Murrayfield.

Gregor Townsend's future is in sharp focus and audience questions are answered by our resident rugby experts.

It's all on the latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast - give it a listen here.

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Scotland must finish a disappointing Autumn Nations Series with a strong display against Tonga on Sunday, says Jamie Dobie.

The Glasgow Warriors scrum-half played in frustrating defeats to New Zealand and Argentina, with the team booed off at Murrayfield after surrendering a 21-0 lead to the South Americans.

Seeking a first victory against the All Blacks, Scotland failed to capitalise on their opponents picking up three yellow cards.

Tonga are ranked 19th in the world and lost 60-14 on their most recent trip to Edinburgh four years ago.

"I think we owe ourselves and the fans who have been turning up for us," said 24-year-old Dobie. "You hear how much they got behind us in the game against New Zealand and even on Sunday when things were going against us.

"They're obviously disappointed and we want to play the best rugby we can in front of them. We've been really well supported for years now.

"We want to finish the campaign on a real high note against Tonga and put out a performance which we as a group can be really proud of, just to pick us back up after these last couple of weekends to finish on a real high."

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Fergus Pringle has been appointed Scotland's new under-20s head coach, with former national team captain Greig Laidlaw given a role.

Pringle steps up from assistant coach to take over from Kenny Murray, who will become Scottish Rugby's national talent pathway lead.

The South Africa-born former Edinburgh lock, who deputised as forwards coach for the full national team's summer tour of the Pacific, will be aided by Laidlaw, who joins on a consultancy basis for the 2026 Under-20 Six Nations.

Laidlaw, capped 76 times, lost his job as head coach at Japanese club Urayasu-D Rock in August after one season in charge.

"I'm hugely passionate about where I can add value," said Laidlaw, who played for Edinburgh, Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne before moving to Japan in 2020.

"I've been working with some excellent players in Japan. It was hugely challenging, in a good way, and I've certainly learned loads."

Former Edinburgh and Glasgow scrum-half Sean Kennedy will also come into the under-20s set-up as an assistant coach.

Image source, Getty Images

The manner of Sunday's defeat to Argentina is proof Scotland remain a "middling tier one team" and not among the top nations, believes Ugo Monye.

The former England player was among those stunned by the ease with which the visitors scored five tries in final 25 minutes to prevail 33-24 at Murrayfield.

"I was so baffled," he told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "Everyone at this point is looking to blame someone or something or blame a system and I'm not quite sure where to point my finger.

"It can't all be Gregor Townsend's fault because he was the same coach that put together a game plan that got Scotland to a position where they were 21-0 up.

"I thought the way in which they managed the last 30 minutes was so poor, so poor.

"There was a couple of key moments for me. Finn Russell when he throws that looping pass which then gets intercepted and then Argentina go 60, 70 metres to score. So it was one sloppy pass that invited Argentina into the game that swung the momentum.

"I think there's proportionate blame to the coaches in terms of the in-game substitutions which didn't happen, while watching Argentina's bench change the tide.

"Then I'm looking at the players on the pitch and thinking how on earth can you not see out a game when you're 21-0 up?

"You don't see that happening with top sides.

"The biggest disappointment of what we've seen from Scotland over the past few years is whenever they get a big one-off result they're still not able to break the ceiling of where they've forever been, which is just a middling tier one team."

Monye called into question Townsend's new working relationship with Red Bull, saying it adds to the "external noise" in what has been a disappointing year for Scotland.

"Gregor Townsend, I'm certain will be Newcastle head coach post the World Cup [October - November 2027], so if you've got a coach that's already plotting and planning their transition, it just feels like there's going to be increased pressure."

Ex-England winger Chris Ashton agreed: "The Red Bull stuff doesn't seem quite right, and maybe this is going to ask more questions of that.

"A happy team, that's settled with coaching, just a good environment to be in, doesn't get beat from 21-0 up."

Got any burning questions on Scottish rugby? Perhaps you do after Scotland's second-half collapse against Argentina on Sunday.

Well, our team are ready to answer them. Send your questions via this link and a selection will be answered on this page later in the week.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Murrayfield boos tell a story

It's been quite a while since a Scotland team was booed off the Murrayfield pitch, and it spoke to the strength of feeling from the fans at the capitulation they had just witnessed from their team.

Sione Tuipulotu admitted afterwards that the jeers aimed at the Scotland team were all deserved after they blew a 21-point lead in scarcely believable fashion, but many of those boos would have been directed at Gregor Townsend.

The decision to award the head coach a contract extension in the summer was questioned by many Scotland fans, and this calamitous defeat will only harden the views of those who feel Townsend has taken this team as far as he can.

Pumas punish wobbly Scots

Amidst the wreckage of Scotland's collapse, you have to give credit to Argentina.

For 50 minutes they looked a shadow of the side that, in this calendar year, have beaten the British and Irish Lions, New Zealand, Australia and delivered a record-breaking victory over Wales in Cardiff.

Once they got the scent of a Scottish wobble, however, they were outstanding.

Santiago Carreras was electric off the bench. He inspired a complete transformation of his team, from carrying little threat to creating five tries in a little over 20 minutes.

Scotland played a large part in their own demise, but the Pumas ruthlessly exploited their hosts' meltdown.

Cool heads missing in action

A lack of composure was cited as one of the key reasons for Scotland not getting over the line against the All Blacks, and it was evident again here.

Even in the first few minutes, with Argentina down to 14 men, Scotland played like they were looking for a winning try in the last play rather remaining patient and waiting for the gaps to open up.

In that instance, Finn Russell threw an unnecessary long, looping pass and the chance was lost. It was a similar play from Russell at 21-0 which was intercepted near the Argentina line that sparked the momentum shift.

Fast, frenetic rugby can be Scotland's greatest weapon, but when they have their opponents where they want them, often the cool heads to bring a more pragmatic approach are missing in action.

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Rory Darge says Scotland must accept the "hurt" of their dispiriting loss to Argentina and stop letting sloppy moments define results.

Scotland eased into a 21-0 lead and had a chance on Argentina's line to score a fourth try, but Finn Russell's stray pass allowed the Pumas to race up the other end.

Julian Montoya eventually scored after Blair Kinghorn was sent to the sin-bin, from which Scotland never recovered and lost 33-24.

"That's rugby - it's a dynamic game that involves a lot of skill and you're playing against top opposition," Darge, who started at openside, said.

"If that [missed chance] happens, that cannot then define the rest of the game.

"We obviously need to do our absolute utmost to be more composed in that moment and go on to make it 28-0.

"But you've just got to flush that and move on and go and make the next action positive.

"We need to watch the game back and let it hurt over the next wee while and during the reviews and then quickly the mindset will flip on to Tonga."

We asked for your views after Scotland's calamitous second-half collapse against Argentina.

Here's what some of you said:

John: No leaders on or off the field. They are incapable of reacting to the events on field. After the second Argentina try they should have shut up shop and played keep ball to take the wind out the sails of the Pumas.

Bill: When will the SRU realise that Gregor Townsend is not the man for the job? This Scotland team is demonstrably mentally fragile, and beating England while losing elsewhere simply won't do any longer.

Stuart: The difference between a great team and a good team is now clear. New Zealand (the great team) lead 17-0 but still hold on for the win. Scotland (who are a good team) have a 21-0 lead and manage to lose the game. We just never seem to have that clinical edge to get us through to the end. Not sure it will ever come either, sadly. More hope followed by frustration again this week.

James: I've been in the 'Townsend to stay' camp for a while now, but this autumn has swayed me towards installing Franco Smith as the new national team head coach. His success with Glasgow has shown an ability to retain an attack-driven DNA coupled with an abrasive edge and mental resilience. I'm still a big Townsend fan and he remains our most successful coach ever, but I think Scottish rugby fans will be left to die wondering if we don't make a change while some of our generational talents (such as Finn Russell) are still in their prime.

Jeffrey: After a good first 50 minutes, a completely unnecessary and telegraphed pass from Russell changed the game completely. The reality is Scotland capitulated thereafter and the whole team should hang their heads in shame. Sadly they will not do so because they think they are better than they actually are. Why were George Horne and Tom Jordan left on the bench? It was an exercise in stupidity to put Jordan on immediately after Argentina scored their final try. What was Townsend actually thinking in making that change at that time? For me Townsend needs to be sacked now as he does not have the necessary skills to install a winning mentality in this team. There have been too many capitulations under his command and the SRU hierarchy have demonstrated a lack of leadership by extending Townsend's contract when his record would have led to him being dismissed at any of the major rugby nations.

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Scotland are to begin the Nations Championship event in Argentina, with summer dates away to South Africa and Fiji to follow.

New Zealand, Australia and Japan visit Murrayfield in the second phase of the new tournament in November.

The competition culminates with three double-header fixture days on 27-29 November at London's Allianz Stadium to rank nations and crown the champions.

"The matches next year are very exciting," said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

"We will need to manage the logistics of moving from Argentina to South Africa but it's a challenge that Rugby Championship teams take on every year and will be one we will need to adapt to.

"In November, playing three back-to-back games and then a match to decide our final standing is brilliant. It provides a Rugby World Cup feel and when you add it onto the Six Nations you have a year of fixtures that will have our players excited, and also our supporters."

2026 Nations Championship fixtures

4 July

New Zealand v France

Japan v Italy

South Africa v England

Australia v Ireland

Fiji v Wales

Argentina v Scotland

11 July

New Zealand v Italy

Japan v Ireland

South Africa v Scotland

Australia v France

Fiji v England

Argentina v Wales

18 July

Japan v France

Australia v Italy

South Africa v Wales

New Zealand v Ireland

Fiji v Scotland

Argentina v England

6-8 November

Ireland v Argentina

Scotland v New Zealand

France v Fiji

Italy v South Africa

Wales v Japan

England v Australia

13-15 November

France v South Africa

Wales v New Zealand

Ireland v Fiji

Italy v Argentina

England v Japan

Scotland v Australia

21 November

England v New Zealand

Ireland v South Africa

France v Argentina

Scotland v Japan

Italy v Fiji

Wales v Australia

Finals Weekend

27 November

Sixth-place North v Sixth-place South

Third-place North v Third-place South

28 November

Fifth-place North v Fifth-place South

Second-place North v Second-place South

29 November

Fourth-place North v Fourth-place South

First-place North v First-place South

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told BBC Scotland: "A lot more disappointing this week than last week."

"We obviously didn't handle that momentum change when we went 21-0 up and had an opportunity to go 28-0 up.

"It flipped I suppose on that moment and it ended up as a penalty and a yellow card under our posts.

"Argentina played really well during that period, carreras off the bench made a big difference for them, and we were on the back foot.

"But it's still disappointing not to see it through as we were still ahead after that yellow-card period."

"I thought on a couple of occasions, we showed good composure, but you need to do it every time because we are playing against a top team.

"After the first five minutes of the second half, it wasn't good enough.

"We know Argentina are a quality side and we built that lead with a good amount of effort and skill, but we needed to see it home and score more points in the second half.

"But we were on the back foot for too long and the discipline, which was mainly about our offsides, gave them field position and opportunities and, in the second half, they took them.

"Credit to Argentina, they put us under pressure and deserved to win in that final quarter.

"What the team showed and how they played, we were 21-0 up against one of the top teams in the world.

"It shows what they are capable of, but the defeat is obviously what we want to look at and how we can get better.

"But it's within these players' hands.

"We have got to pick ourselves up and make sure we give these supporters a good performance against Tonga next week."

Scotland suffered a calamitous second-half collapse against Argentina, falling to two consecutive Autumn Nations losses that ask serious questions of Gregor Townsend's side.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's decision to start mostly the same XV against Argentina, and how you think Scotland will get on.

Here's what some of you said:

Robert: On past performances against Los Pumas most games have been close, except their last visit to Murrayfield where the Pumas took a pounding. Their style of open rugby seems to suit Scotland's game. I think Scotland can match the Pumas. Probably a win for the Scots by two scores.

Alan: Only one selection I dispute and that is Blair Kinghorn. His defence is not up to standard and Tom Jordan would have been a far better last line of defence. Also Kinghorn has forgotten how to pass and is too much of a glory boy.

Iain: Would have left Kinghorn out, I thought he was poor against the All Blacks. Jordon at full back would have been the only change for me.

Ally: Scotland aren't yet at the top table of international rugby - that's where New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland sit - but they are part of the chasing five including Argentina who are no push-overs. We've had their number in recent times and if Scotland want to be seen as serious players on the rugby world stage then we must win at all costs.

Ian: Hard to argue with basically starting the same team from last week. Another tough game but hopefully a more clinical start to the game rather than chasing it.

Stuart: Good to see a settled team after a huge effort last weekend. Especially pleased to see Rory Hutchinson back at 13 again, well deserved. He's a class player and has been overlooked for so long.