Scottish Rugby

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Paris

Image source, SNS

Gregor Brown stands up

The second-row had a positive impact off the bench in nearly every game he appeared in, but Saturday was his first Six Nations start, against the best team in the competition. He was excellent.

He was the big breakout player of the campaign for Scotland - powerful, dynamic, skilful and still very young at just 23. Once Scott Cummings and Max Williamson reappear after injury then the options in the second-row are going to look really positive.

Scotland continue to suffer bad calls

We don't want to whinge, but some big calls went against Scotland. The England try that was given despite zero evidence that the ball was down. The late, late Finn Russell conversion incorrectly moved closer to a tougher spot, closer to the touchline, the yellow card given to Peato Mauvaka on Saturday night which should have been a red.

You could easily argue that the yellow given to Jamie Richie early on was harsh.

For fear of coming across as sore losers, Scotland really can't go public with their gripes but they're coming out on the wrong side of these decisions quite a lot. Maybe a private summit with World Rugby might be in order.

There's a host of other reasons why Scotland only won twice. Their capacity to fall asleep in games is still a concern, albeit it didn't happen in a courageous performance in Paris. Handling errors cost them in key moments. A lack of forward heft was an issue.

Scotland are not genuine contenders

No amount of guff about the golden generation is going to deflect from the fact that Scotland are not good enough to win a championship.

France are miles ahead in squad depth and power. England are improving and have vast amounts of players to pick from. Ireland are now firmly in transition but they're still better than Scotland, as, er, 11 wins in a row suggests.

Scotland are struggling badly for front-row forwards. There's precious little depth there and it's ruinous when they go up against the big guns who can bring quality players on to the pitch for the last 30 minutes.

That said, Gregor Townsend did not have much luck with injuries. The only hope Scotland have of making it to a final weekend with even a sliver of hope of a title win is if they avoid injuries to all of their key men. Clearly, they didn't this time.

Sione Tuipulotu, Cummings, Williamson, Josh Bayliss and Andy Onyeama-Christie didn't kick a ball. Their return can't come quickly enough.

The flipside of that is the return of Ritchie to his very best form. He had a terrific tournament and has played his way into the Lions conversation.

Scotland fans, we asked for your views on Scotland's final Six Nations match against France, and the tournament as a whole.

Here's what some of you had to say:

TR: We need to keep perspective about how tiny a nation we are rugby-wise. We have nowhere near the resources or player numbers of the likes of England, France or Ireland. We are punching above our weight as things are and Gregor Townsend has done a great job but now it's time for a change. Someone who will force the players develop a new mindset

Oscar: I think the stats don't lie and progress has stagnated. I think if you look at the Wales matches in 2024 and 2025, we haven't learnt anything. It's time for a shake up and time for a change; I'm fed up of finishing fourth.

Robin: Gregor has done an amazing job with the team and brought them a long way. On occasions, they play some of the most entertaining, free-flowing rugby in the world. The best way to cement his legacy would be to bring in the next leader to solidify and build on his achievements. It's about progression.

David S: We simply do not have the strength of depth to challenge for the Six Nations since it became pro. Fourth in the nation will be as far as we can go. As for the world cup getting to the quarters is the best we will ever do due in part to other countries playing more rugby than Scots and having a bigger population of serious players.

David: If this was football Townsend would be long gone, he's developed the team but needs someone else to take it up a level.

Ken: Our stats are getting better except for points scored and wins complete. We are not quite getting over the line and this has been the same for a couple of years. Time for a change.

Charlie: Gregor should stay as he's done a great job and increased depth in squad. This year he's been unfortunate with injuries before the start of the tournament. With a full squad and some additions in the pack let's see what the team can achieve.

Image source, SNS

Tom Jordan says he has paid no attention to people tipping him as a possible bolter for Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad, and says playing Six Nations rugby for Scotland was something he never envisaged.

After making his Test debut against Fiji in November, Jordan deputised impressively for injured captain Sione Tuipulotu during the championship.

His performances have led some to consider the Glasgow Warrior an outside bet to make the Lions plane to Australia.

"I haven't really thought about it too much," said Jordan. "I don't really know how the selection and all that goes, but I'm trying to put my best foot forward and we'll see what happens from there."

Jordan said he has relished every moment of his first Six Nations and admitted when he arrived in Scotland to play for semi-professional outfit Ayrshire Bulls, the idea of playing Test rugby seemed far, far way away.

"I would never have thought this would have happened, I guess," Jordan said after Scotland's 35-16 defeat to France in Paris.

"You get a lot of emotions going into the game, different thoughts here and there of different things and you're just really grateful to be out there.

"You just try to be present, soak up the moment and just enjoy every moment because I think in international rugby, a lot of guys can maybe not enjoy it and it comes faster than the club stuff.

"Gutted we didn't get the win, but it's been a great few months that's flown by and I've just really enjoyed every moment."

Image source, SNS

Scotland gave it their best in Paris, but eventually France's physicality became too hard to break down, and their clinical attack started to stretch the scoreboard.

It meant another fourth-placed finish for Scotland, while France won their first Six Nations since 2022. Here's what our pundits had to say:

Former Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Colin Gregor: A three-point deficit at half-time was beyond where I thought Scotland would be. They went toe-to-toe with France in the first half.

Whether it was nerves, whether it was all part of the masterplan, I don't know. France's discipline was poor. Fabien Galthie looked livid. It seemed Scotland had gotten under their skin.

But as feared, the quality on France's bench, which came on early, they made an impact. There was an increase in intensity, their discipline sharpened right up. They became difficult to break down. Rarely were France stretched.

Ex-Scotland prop Peter Wright: I was pretty proud of the way Scotland played. They stuck at it, went out and tried to play the game that could have beaten France.

They had a go, moved the ball, played with width. [Blair] Kinghorn had one of his best games. [Duhan] Van der Merwe and [Darcy] Graham looked dangerous.

[Finn] Russell will get a lot of criticism for certain things, but I thought he played pretty well and gave Scotland a chance. He varied the game enough to try and hurt the French.

Ultimately, France are a better side. There are world-class players all over the pitch, they can bring real quality off the bench and that just adds to the tempo and physicality.

Former Scotland back-row Johnnie Beattie on ITV: That's cruel nature of our sport - if Finn Russell kicks his goals at Twickenham, and this game goes down to the wire for a championship, that changes the context.

Look at our player participation numbers. France have hundreds of thousands and we have around 20,000 adult players.

That is not something Scottish fans will want to hear but when you look at numbers, that is where we are.

Scotland's record point-scorer Chris Paterson: That was a massive defensive effort from France. They were quite happy to allow us to have possession, they were quite wide in their defence.

We played with some fantastic endeavour and were quite sharp on the ball, but we couldn't break through, get in behind and really stress them.

Scotland played the right way, gave ourselves the best opportunity by keeping the ball alive, playing as quick as possible. It wasn't always accurate but it's the right way to go about it.

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English: Galthie sprung the bench very early, and that changed the game. The power and control was awesome.

Scotland grew tired. They put an awful lot into the first half, played really well. But when that ferocity is coming at you for another 40 minutes, I don't know how you withstand that. Ireland couldn't.

Scotland put an awful lot into this game, really good in places. France are just better.

France secured the Six Nations championship with a flourish - and quashed England's hopes - by ultimately overpowering a dogged Scotland in Paris.

What did you make of the match, Scotland fans?

What went right and what went wrong? Who impressed you?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told ITV he has "mixed feelings" after his side's defeat.

"We asked the players to deliver a performance of effort and physicality and they did that," Townsend said. "Our forwards played outstanding rugby at times, really fronted up.

"We didn't get the breaks, the bad luck before half-time [with a disallowed try] and then a mistake and they scored just after half-time. We were in that game for a lot of it.

"We were a bum cheek away from converting in the first half when Blair Kinghorn was just in touch and they are a very good defence. You need to have patience and accuracy and that was little bit missing today."

Townsend offered no opinion on Peato Mauvaka's sin binning, preferring to "leave that to others to decide."

He added: "These things can be decisive as we know. I am just proud the team fronted up tonight and even at the end to deny France another try, a maul try, they were very aggressive."

Asked if Scotland deserved to finish higher than fourth, he replied: "No, if we don't win when we have a lot of the game, that's where we are going to finish.

"It is a very tough competition. Teams can't play well every game no-one won a Grand Slam.

"We are a quality side, it just didn't go our way this year."

Image source, SNS

Oyonnax lock Ewan Johnson has been named as a late replacement for Jonny Gray on the Scotland bench to face France in their final match of this season's Six Nations in Paris.

Bordeaux 30-year-old Gray misses his chance to earn an 81st cap because of a knee injury.

Johnson, born in England with a Welsh mother and Scottish father but who also qualifies for France through residency, made his international debut last year and will earn his fifth cap should he come off the bench on Saturday.

Currently playing in the French second tier, the 25-year-old has agreed a two-year contract to join Top 14 club Bayonne this summer.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell says a closing victory in Paris would make the 2025 Six Nations a "decent enough" tournament, but bemoaned his missed conversions against England last month.

Russell was unsuccessful with all three of his attempts off the tee at Twickenham as Scotland lost by a solitary point to their oldest rivals.

Gregor Townsend's side are all but out of contention with one match to go in the championship, sitting fourth with two wins from four game, but Russell says victory against France would add a little bit of gloss to the campaign.

"If we get a win tomorrow, then we'd probably look back at one of my kicks that could have had us winning the title," Russell said after kicking practice at Stade de France on Friday.

"I think the England game is probably the one that got away, which for me personally is really frustrating. I think we all know why.

"But if we can finish up with a win this weekend – the frustration for the England game would still be there, obviously – I think we could look back at this tournament as a decent enough tournament.

"If we get a win, it'll be brilliant, obviously, to finish on a high. Building for the future as well, if we manage to get a win over here, it's a good stepping stone to get the kick-on from there."

France are favourites for the title after a dominant win against Ireland last weekend, but a Scotland triumph in Paris would provide an opportunity for England or the Irish – who are away to Wales and Italy respectively earlier in the day – to win the tournament.

Bath fly-half Russell revealed there have been messages exchanged between clubmates in different camps, with all three of Saturday's matches relevant to the final outcome.

"It'll be a different occasion for us, with it being the last game and depending on the result here, we could change the tournament," Russell added.

"I think Blair Kinghorn had a couple of the Toulouse boys messaging him and I've had [England centre] Ollie Lawrence messaging me yesterday.

"I'd imagine tomorrow we'll get a few messages from the English boys, maybe the Irish boys, so I suppose it's good fun. It shows how exciting a tournament it is that three teams can win at the end."

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

Peter asked: Would you rather have a Scotland team (or indeed any team) captained by a forward, but coached by a back? Pragmatism on the park, but adventure in the planning? Both coach and captain as forwards or backs doesn't do it for me - you need a blend. What do you think?

Tom answered: I honestly don't think it makes much of a difference. Antoine Dupont captained France before his injury and did pretty well. Fabien Galthie, a scrum-half, might be about to win a second championship as coach.

Johnny Sexton captained Ireland on some of their best days when Joe Schmidt (a back at a modest level) was coach and then when Andy Farrell (another back) was coach. Sione Tuipulotu was looking like a fine Scotland captain in the making before his injury.

Steve asked: I've been perplexed that Cam Redpath has not featured so far and now been sent home. If ever there was a player to bring in off the bench to revitalise the backline and shore up the defence, surely it's him. What reason is there for his omission? Not up to fitness perhaps?

Tom answered: Fitness, perhaps. Also, Stafford McDowall has done very well as back-up centre. He's probably more physical than Redpath, who's had bad luck through injury.

McDowall is also a decent leader as well. Redpath will come again, hopefully. He's an excellent player.

We asked for your views on the XV named by Gregor Townsend for Scotland's final outing in the 2024 Six Nations, away to France.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: The decision to release Cameron Henderson seems misjudged as Gregor Brown does not start for Glasgow. It is the Toonie Tombola again.

Gordon: No Fergus Burke, no Jack Mann, despite good club form and Scotland going off the rails last time, when Finn Russell was taken off. Can't understand why neither have been picked. Townsend is falling into the same trap a lot of coaches do when they've been in the job too long. Picking who he likes, instead of who he should.

Rob: I find it unusual that Brown has been chosen as starting lock against a pack as big as France. This has been our main area of weakness this Six Nations and I think it's time we use Max Williamson with Scott Cummings as our first-choice four and five while bringing Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel and Marshall Sykes into the squad more frequently.

Fraser: Key jump outs are Jack Dempsey missing, a huge blow to Scotland from a ball carrying aspect. Matt Fagerson is a great player, but him instead of Dempsey is like replacing a sword for a gun! Brown is interesting, we've lacked dynamic ball players in the pack, specifically the back five, but does Brown offer that? A good club player.

Will: No Dempsey means the end of any dynamic ball carrying from Scotland. Breakdown should be okay, but who else is gaining the hard yards post-contact? Unavailability of key players seems to be an irritable constant of Scotland's Six Nations story 2025. Fingers crossed no cricket score in Saint Denis this Saturday.

Jeff: Townsend's comments referring to the French game in Paris as the biggest challenge in world rugby at the moment is a little over the top. Antoine Dupont is out and let's not forget the challenge of trying to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park or the Boks at Ellis Park. Some mind games I reckon. Actually it's a challenge to beat the All Blacks at Murrayfield.

Hear from Gregor Townsend as the Scotland head coach discusses his team selection and eyes a "fast start" in Saturday's Six Nations game with France in Paris.

There's plenty more big-game build-up, including Tom English and Andy Burke on the type of Scotland performance need to pull off a shock win.

Listen to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast

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."

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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.