Scottish Rugby

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Graham asked: How much longer can Gregor Townsend stay on as coach? Scotland seem to be treading water and never getting higher than third place. 11 points in the Six Nations and a likely fourth place finish isn't good reading for the fans. Are two third place finishes good enough over Townsend's eight-year tenure?

Tom answered: I think people have a slightly over-inflated sense of how good this team is. Yes, the backline is absolutely outstanding, but the pack is decent without being exceptional.

Is this Scotland team better than France? No. Is it better than Ireland? No. So why do some expect Scotland to win a championship when there are two squads that are by some distance better than them?

Third would be a good finish for Scotland, second would be excellent, first would be unbelievable. I just don't think they're good enough across the board.

That tempers my view on Townsend somewhat. Should they have beaten England? Yes. Would two wins out of five be a let-down? Yes again. Townsend has one year left on his deal. I think he should be allowed to see it out in the hope that the return of Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Sione Tuipulotu, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Josh Bayliss propels them higher in the Six Nations.

Matthew asked: What do Scotland have to do to make some real progression? Third place for the best Scottish team that we have seen since 1999 just isn't good enough.

Tom answered: I disagree with your evaluation of this Scotland team. This is the best backline Scotland have possibly ever had, but the pack of forwards (especially without Cummings, Williamson, Onyeama-Christie and Bayliss)...

Third place would be a good finish - the best of the rest behind two clearly superior teams in France and Ireland. Scotland need all of their main men fit to contend.

They need to grow up as a team and cut out the passages where they go to to sleep in games and they need better options at hooker and in front-row cover. They need a lot of things. They're not a championship-winning team no matter how much people think they are.

Gregor Brown "has shown he can perform at the highest level" says head coach Gregor Townsend, after handing the Glasgow Warriors second-rower his first Six Nations start.

Brown is one of two changes from the side who started against Wales, with Matt Fagerson coming in at eight for the trip to Paris to take on Championship-chasing France.

Townsend cited the 23-year-old's athleticism and technical ability as factors behind his decision to start him instead of the experienced Jonny Gray.

"He has done really well off the bench," Townsend said. "I thought his energy at the weekend and his carrying were excellent. He came very close to scoring a try.

"He is very good in the lineout, really athletic, technically really strong. Same at scrum time as well, technically very good. He's shown for us but also for Glasgow that he can perform at the highest level in the second row position.

"It allows us to have someone who has got the skill and speed of a back-rower but the technical ability of a second-rower to bring that out from the start this week."

The win against Wales at Murrayfield last weekend was tainted somewhat by yet another drop-off in the second half, with the Scots allowing their visitors to finish within six points having been 35-8 up eight minutes into the second half.

However, Townsend stressed "momentum swings" are to be expected in Test rugby and is not concerned.

"Teams do come back when they're well behind," Townsend argued. "We know we've got to make sure that in the 80 minutes we're still showing as much effort as we are at the start of games, but I feel we're doing that.

"Last week we did that.We dominated the last ten minutes of the game."

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media before the final Six Nations game against France on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Following "one of his best ever games for Scotland" against Wales, Jack Dempsey misses out with a tight hamstring, while Sam Skinner, who "would have been in the selection mix" is also unavailable.

• Townsend reiterated facing this France team in Paris, in the form they're in right now, is "probably the biggest challenge in world rugby".

• "Quality group" Scotland need to deliver the level of performance they've done in previous big away wins, to get victory said the head coach, like in Paris in 2021.

• Scotland are "aware of the context" with France going for the championship and expects an "amazing atmosphere".

• Townsend added Scotland "thrive with the challenge and the atmosphere".

• The head coach is not overly concerned about drop-offs during games, adding it's Test rugby and momentum swings will happen against good teams.

• Scotland "didn't get the flow" they wanted with the changes against Wales but he wanted to "protect players for a big week".

• Gregor Brown is "technically very good" and will bring energy and "excellent" ball-carrying on his first Six Nations start, said Townsend, as he replaces Jonny Gray in the second row.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Scotland's last tango in the Six Nations comes in Paris - a place where they went close, but not close enough two years ago.

That was an outstanding effort, but what's required on Saturday is a task of a different dimension. France were OK back then. They're utterly ferocious now.

Gregor Brown replaces Jonny Gray in the starting line-up. Scotland need more dynamism and athleticism in the second-row and Brown, making his first Six Nations start, has a chance of providing it.

Jack Dempsey is out with a hamstring injury, which is a blow. Dempsey has the dog needed in such a massive Test and was terrific against Wales.

Ben Muncaster is on the bench, which is a reflection of his own capacity to run hard and bring a nasty edge.

The more attrition the better against a French team that Gregor Townsend says is the biggest challenge in world rugby right now.

Scotland go 6-2 on the bench in preparation for the scary might of the French forward onslaught.

Well, Scotland fans, it's been a rollercoaster ride as ever, but the Six Nations come to an end this weekend and Gregor Townsend has named the last team for this championship.

What are your thoughts?

Jack Dempsey drops out with a hamstring injury, how big a blow will that be against title-chasing France? Jonny Gray is the other to drop out, with Gregor Brown and Matt Fagerson the two to come in from the win against Wales.

Have your say on the team here., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland need to give "their most complete and comprehensive performance" if they are to stand a chance of beating France in Paris, according to Johnnie Beattie.

While Gregor Townsend's side are set for a mid-table Six Nations finish after two wins and two defeats so far, the French are gunning for the title on home soil on Saturday.

Former Scotland back-row Beatie is a French rugby expert, having lived in the country since his playing days with Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne.

"[They need] everything. Their most complete and comprehensive performance under Gregor Townsend," Beattie told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"Physicality is the one that sticks out. We've got the lowest ball carry dominance in this competition. That needs to go up a notch. I don't know where it's going to come from but it needs to be better.

"Physically, we have to be the best we've been by far. Our set-piece work is going to have go through 80 minutes. It creaked when Zander [Fagerson] went off [against Wales]. That has to be top notch."

The positive for Scotland is they are still creating plenty, with only France scoring more tries in the current Six Nations.

"We still managed to create so much against Wales," Beattie added. "Every time we come off a touchline, when we play through nine and we have three quarters of the field to attack, with Finn Russell's zipping passing game, our back three are smashing opposition backlines out of the park.

"We need to retain as much possession as we can in key areas, give ourselves a foothold in the game, and take it to France. We can't kick the ball back to them and let them play.

"Our discipline - we can't give them anything. Basically, everything has to be the best that it's been."

It's not out of the question to win in Paris - they managed it in 2021 despite Finn Russell's late red card.

"We've done it before. We hadn't been to London, Paris and Cardiff and won in however long - but we've done it recently. We know we're capable," said Beattie.

"Scotland have to have that one big performance - that we hope is in them - to go to Paris, get all the boxes ticked, have that complete performance for 80 minutes and win."

• Listen to the podcast in full by clicking here.

Scotland cannot afford to "knock off" as they did against Wales if they are to spring a shock on Six Nations title favourites France in Paris on Saturday, says defence coach Steve Tandy.

The Scots looked on course for a record win over the Welsh at Murrayfield, running in five tries in a superb display of attacking rugby to build a 35-8 lead.

However, the wheels came off in the last half hour to allow Wales to come dangerously close on the scoreboard, Scotland ultimately winning 35-29.

France are coming off a clinical 42-27 destruction of Ireland in Dublin, and Tandy says his side need to maintain concentration from first whistle to last.

"We know going to France that you can't knock off," Tandy said.

"At the end of the day when we're 35-8 up, you've got a bit of breathing space, but that's still not where you want to be.

"You don't want to concede anything, you want to score more points, and we know going to France, you could be really good and they could still hurt you.

"We've got our own internal standards of where we go, we've got our own internal belief of how we play the game and how we go after opposition.

"It's an exciting one, France, but then you look at them, they probably could have blown England away, they've done an unbelievable job out in Ireland, so we know exactly what firepower they bring, but we've got our own way of playing and how we're going to go about it.

"It's just an exciting opportunity. It's always an incredible atmosphere and in the past we've done pretty well against France.

"They're a brilliant team, but if you perform at the best level of what you can do, you'll create opportunities for yourself as well."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Another year, another Six Nations opportunity slips away.

Although Scotland do have the chance to finish with a flourish and make it three wins from five this weekend, the chance of doing so against against France in Paris looks unlikely.

Amid an underwhelming championship for Scotland, there are some that think it's time for Gregor Townsend to move on. Former fly-half Craig Chalmers isn't one of them.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Chalmers said of his former team-mate: "I get that one or two are a bit disgruntled with Gregor but I think he's done a good job in the last few years.

"Some people should be careful what they wish for because I don't think there's anybody out there that could do a much better job with the set of players we have at the moment.

"There's a lot of talk about Franco Smith or maybe Michael Cheika, someone who could come in and do a job.

"Gregor has got until 2026 on his contract. Does he go until the World Cup the year after? It's not for me to say, but we've watched some great rugby over the last few years - especially the last two or three."

However, while Chalmers defended his fellow Gala native, he feels the time has come for Scotland's current crop of players to live up to their 'golden generation' tag.

"This squad has maybe two or three years left of opportunities for doing something special," he added.

"We don't have masses of youngsters coming through unfortunately. If Scotland are going to have any success, it's probably going to be in the next three or four years.

"We'd love to see this team actually win something tangible. Can Gregor do it? Maybe. But we need to have that bit more aggression up front. It's not a pack of forwards that scares too many."

That forward pack is where the France game could be win or lost. Although Scotland's backline has come in for plenty of plaudits given the attacking brand of rugby they play, the pack has come under pressure.

"We can't make our players bigger and stronger and more physical in a week," Chalmers said. "The depth they've got compared to us is massive.

"It's a massive task, absolutely massive, but if our backs can get the ball and we can run this big French pack around, keep the ball and look after it... we go in hope that we can do something."

As Scotland put last week's victory behind them and prepare for a huge test in Paris, have you got any burning questions to put to our rugby writers Tom English and Andy Burke?

Send them in via this link, external, and they will be answered on this page later in the week.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tom Jordan says it was a tough decision to leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season, but the opportunity to join Bristol Bears was too good to turn down.

Jordan was instrumental in Warriors URC title victory last season and has excelled in the Test arena since making his Scotland debut against Fiji last autumn.

It's a bitter blow for Glasgow to lose the New Zealand-born utility back, but Jordan explained why he is making the switch to the English Premiership this summer.

"I've been here for over five years, so I think it's a good opportunity," Jordan said after scoring two tries in Scotland's Six Nations victory over Wales.

"I think it's a lot about growing as a person on and off the field, and it's an opportunity that I want to take.

"If I can grab that with both hands, it's going to make me a better player and a better person for it, I'd hope. So, yeah.

"It's always going to be a tough decision for anyone, but it's sport at the end of the day and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland's split personality

How do you begin to explain this Scotland team? A team that can look so slick, so imaginative, so dominant for 50 minutes against Wales, but in the last half-hour turns into a pumpkin and looks tired, error strewn and there for the taking.

Let's be clear, had Taulupe Faletau's try with four minutes remaining been allowed to stand – it was correctly ruled out – Scotland were absolutely there for the taking. Having led by 27 points at one stage, that is extraordinary.

Ebbs and flows in matches are what make Test rugby so compelling, but rarely does the pendulum swing so dramatically as they do when Scotland are involved.

Gregor Townsend's side play in bursts – periods of wondrous rugby, and spells of ruinous sloppiness.

On any given day one can outweigh the other, but it all feels like a bit of a lottery as to which side of Scotland's split personality will come to the fore.

Russell's perfect response to doubters

As always with Scotland's most high-profile player, much of the post-game analysis after the defeat to England at Twickenham fell on Finn Russell.

Much of the coverage was unfair, his three missed kicks overshadowing what was otherwise a very good performance from the Bath fly-half.

Against Wales, Russell was even better. He addressed those goalkicking concerns with a perfect display from the tee. The variety and timing of his passes – most notably to set up Darcy Graham's try – was sublime and his connection with Tom Jordan offered too many options in attack for Wales to handle.

Scotland lost direction when Russell left the pitch in the second half, but for the time he was on he offered a timely reminder, particularly to those critics questioning his Lions credentials, just what a class act he is.

Kinghorn continues to shine

Blair Kinghorn produced one of his best Scotland performances against Wales. The full-back scored two tries and was a constant threat with ball in hand.

Kinghorn has long been one of Scotland's most important attacking weapons, but since moving to Toulouse he has elevated his game to another level.

His understanding of where and when to come into the line has improved significantly, and with Russell, Jordan and Kinghorn all in the backline, Scotland are never short of a first receiver.

The finish for his first try showed the confidence Kinghorn is playing with. Many now see him as a strong contender for the Lions squad, with some backing him to edge out Ireland's Hugo Keenan for the starting 15 jersey for the Test series against Australia.

A strong showing in Paris next weekend would certainly help that case.

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Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie admitted the win over Wales was a "funny one" after they threatened to blow a 27-point lead.

The visitors to Murrayfield scored with the final play of the game to secure two bonus points and make it a one-score game with the clock dead.

"It's a funny one, especially when the opposition finish with a try - you feel a bit disappointed," Ritchie admitted.

"Six Nations wins are hard to come by so we're pleased with that but there's lots of improvements for us in our game."

Scotland were 35-8 up on the scoreboard after a dominating performance but, similar to last season, allowed Wales hope with a few late scores.

"For 50 minutes, we were very much in control. The last 30 was a bit loose and they had everything to play for. They put us under a bit of pressure.

"There's moments in there where our ill discipline is letting them into the game. Wales are looking to play a lot more rugby and they're able to cut teams apart. That's where they put us under pressure today."

Scotland fans, we asked for your views on Scotland's narrow Six Nations victory over Wales.

Here's what some of you said:

Malcolm: How long do Scotland supporters have to put up with Gregor Townsend getting Scotland "nearly there"? we need a coach who can instil a ruthless streak like Glasgow had in the URC.

Euan: A win is a win but the game management was atrocious in the second half. A lack of respect was shown with the timing of the changes, and taking Finn Russell off when he was bossing the game was ludicrous. There was little to no attacking shape and a serious lack of imagination trying to pick and go endlessly towards the end. Standards need to be higher.

Anon: Having a front five who walk around the pitch in internationals is not acceptable. With competition high in the back row, we should dump the second row strollers and bring in the more dynamic scavenging back row players.

Ali: It's the bench. Won't come as a surprise really. Even taking into account the players missing, none of them are front row. And that is where the problem is. Needs to be 6/2 split next week. What France did to Ireland yesterday is exactly what Ireland do to Scotland so I am really concerned about the last 30 minutes next week. Could be a long old day.

David: We have found new ways to keep the opposition in the game, butchering clear changes, poor discipline or just "switching off". Against the better teams we lose. This has to come down to the coaching. We have gone from being a team that was hard to beat under Vern Cotter to one that beats itself under Townsend. He needs to go.

Richard: Scotland were superb for the first 50 minutes. A different league to Wales and at 35-8 up, cruising to victory. Unfortunately, with the game already won, they went to sleep somewhat in the last 30 minutes and allowed Wales some consolation tries. The result was never in doubt. Overall well done Scotland.

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Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe believes Scotland "weren't good enough" in their ultimately narrow win over Wales at Murrayfield.

Scotland were 27 points ahead at the hour mark before the visitors brought it back to a one-score game in the dying seconds.

"We played very well in the first half and we spoke about coming out and playing even better," Van der Merwe told the BBC.

"We made a lot of mistakes in that second half, Wales punished in the set piece. We couldn't win our line-outs, lost a few scrums.

"Wales played very well that last 40 minutes, but a lot of that stuff is on us and unfortunately we weren't good enough in the second half."

Scotland now head to Paris for the final weekend, with France looking to seal the Six Nations title with a win.

"It'll be a tough week for us," Van der Merwe added. "It's easy to go over there [to Paris] and say we have nothing to play for, but we're going to have to be better than we were today.

"They have a lot to play for and we're going to go over there to try and beat them on their home pitch."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Darcy Graham says Scotland's victory over Wales felt like a defeat after the home side almost squandered a 27-point lead.

The Scots raced into a 35-8 lead early in the second half after a scintillating attacking display that saw them run in five tries.

However, Wales came back strongly to give Scotland a scare before ultimately going down 35-29.

"It feels like we've lost that game," said Graham, who scored Scotland's third try on his return to the team after missing the defeat to England with concussion.

"The boys are a bit flat in the changing room and I think that's just where we are as a team. We should have put them away but we could have scored another four or five tries out there. So that's the frustrating part.

"It's not one big problem. It's just loads of little individual things. It's just about being squeaky clean in all aspects of the game.

"But we've got a lot more in us and just fire into next week - a big one over in France."

Scotland round off their campaign in Paris next weekend against a France side now in pole position to win the championship after a dominant victory over Ireland in Dublin.

Graham says the Scots will have to maintain the level of performance shown in the first 50 minutes against Wales for the entire match if they are to stand a chance against Les Bleus.

"There's no point in just doing it for the 40 minutes, 50 minutes like we've done today," said the Edinburgh winger. "It's a full 80 minutes performance.

"I think the most disappointing thing is that we've not had that yet in the full championship - the ruthlessness. We need to go over there and be ruthless.

"We need to play 80 minutes and back ourselves. It's a hard place to go. The French are unbelievable. But we need to be more ruthless for 80 minutes."

Five-try Scotland overcame a hugely spirited Wales in a frenetic Six Nations contest at Murrayfield, condemning the visitors to a 16th defeat in a row.

The Scots looked at ease for large parts of the game, only for Wales to threaten a jaw-dropping comeback late on and ensure they at least left with some reward.

In the last 18 minutes, the visitors scored three unanswered tries - all converted - to turn a cakewalk into a struggle for the Scots, whose edge blunted incredibly in the second half.

The big comeback never materialised, though, and Scotland won a third Six Nations game in a row against Wales for the first time since 1991.

What did you make of that, Scotland fans? Where was the game won by the hosts?

Who impressed you? And were you worried in the second-half?

Let us know your thoughts, external.