Tom English and Andy Burke are joined by Scotland and Glasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown to reflect on the defeat in Rome and Saturday's game against Ireland in Dublin.
Listen to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast here.
Image source, SNSAssistant coach Steve Tandy said Scotland's review of their defeat to Italy was "hard-hitting" but believes his side have the mental capacity to come through tough moments.
The Scots led in Rome before going on to lose to the Italians for the first time since 2013, and effectively end any chance of lifting the Six Nations title.
“As you can imagine, it was a pretty quiet place after the game and then coming in on Monday, the review was hard-hitting," Tandy said. "The boys have reflected, they've looked at the footage, they've fed back themselves.
“We had a pretty good meeting yesterday - as much as it could be good after a loss - but there's obviously some bits of growth and learning within the games.”
Despite wins over Wales and England, it's been a mixed campaign for the Scots with questions asked after those wins, and after losses to France and now Italy.
“We've shown moments of regathering ourselves, such as in Wales when we got that momentum back at the back end of the game to get the win.
"After the disappointment of France, where everyone said we should have won the game, getting over that to beat England shows we've got the mental capacity to do those things. But it's always a work in progress, there's always space to learn and grow."
Scotland now head to Dublin knowing a win would give them the Triple Crown - an honour not won since 1990.
"[Ireland] are a fantastic team, well-coached, well-organised with outstanding players and I think the lesson they gave us in the World Cup definitely makes you think about how you grow.
"We’re playing for a trophy - I don’t know how many years it is since we have been playing for a trophy.
“We know we’re going to have to play really well to get what we want, but it’s a game, anything can happen. It’s crazy - we had that disappointment and now we’re going to play for a Triple Crown.
“That’s the beauty of sport, the fact you can be down at the lowest of lows but now we have the potential to be at the highest of highs, which is exciting for us.”
Image source, SNSGlasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown dismissed the notion that Scotland are plagued by a "mental fragility" after their Six Nations loss to Italy last weekend.
Speaking to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast, the 34-year-old said he believes that there is a problem, but "it's not systemic".
"There has been a lot said around Scotland's mental fragility," Brown said. "It gets brought up time and time again when there is a game like there was at the weekend.
"On the flip side of that, Scotland have come back from points down against England two weeks ago to put that game to bed, points down a year ago against England at Twickenham where they won for the first time in front of a crowd in 30-odd years.
"There's been multiple occasions where that group of players and that group of management have had the mental capability to dig in, fight their way through, come back and win games."
Scotland were 22-10 at one stage in Rome and looked to be cruising to a third win of the campaign, but a second-half collapse saw Italy win their first Six Nations game at home in 11 years.
"I don't think it's a mental fragility," Brown added. "There's something there, but it's not systemic. It's not something that is there all the time.
"A lot of the criticism over the last couple of days has been ‘this is a mentally weak squad’. They have come back and they've won big pressure games and big pressure environments.
"They have Aaron Walsh [a mental skills coach] in working with them. It's not an overnight fix. It's something that comes from winning. The more you win, the more confidence you get, the more relaxed you become when you're in those situations.
"At the weekend, I just don't think that emotional level was there as a team. They looked a little bit flat at times."
You can listen to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast here.
Image source, SNSScotland prop Elliot Millar-Mills has signed a new contract with Premiership leaders Northampton Saints.
The 31-year-old tighthead was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of this year's Six Nations.
"It's pretty cool to be able to call myself a Scottish international now," Millar-Mills said. "I wouldn't have done it without Saints. This time last year, I didn't have a job.
"If Saints hadn't have come in, I might have been done with rugby, so it's been a remarkable year. I hope we can do something special together by the end of this season."
Millar-Mills made his debut in the opening round of the Six Nations, in Scotland's win at Cardiff, and now has three caps to his name.
Grant Young
Glasgow Warriors fan columnist
Scotland’s deserved defeat to Italy will get put through the microscope to determine where exactly it went wrong.
For many, a loss to Italy has been coming. Their wins over Wales in recent years in Cardiff was the first sign of things to come, and then there's the positive results for their under-20 side and Benetton's form in the URC.
Scotland's resolve will be tested further with the trip to Dublin, but how does it impact Glasgow?
There were 10 Warriors involved in the Scotland 23 in Rome, nine saw action with only Kyle Rowe left on the bench. Those 10 have had some major performances for Glasgow this season and it can only be hoped there isn't much of a hangover from a mentally draining Six Nations campaign.
We have seen real depth in the Warriors squad this season, and the returning players are yet to earn a spot in the 23 for any fixtures.
Sandy Smith
Edinburgh fan columnist
Even as a Scotland fan of advancing years, it's hard to express my disappointment in the game against Italy, and even harder to explain it.
As an Edinburgh fan It’s also hard to look at our players and point to someone who put in an outstanding shift. They all seemed to do something that you’d knock off a few ratings points for.
Pierre Schoeman’s needless penalty at the start of the second half that saw George Horne's try chalked off. Duhan Van der Merwe being out of position for Italy’s second try - again - and butchering a basic two-on-one. Sam Skinner conceding the penalty that gave Italy a two-score lead.
The other substitutes, Jamie Ritchie and Ewan Ashman, looked solid in the time they got but their efforts made no difference to the result.
And I almost forgot about Ali Price, which tells you all you need to know there.
Grant Gilchrist did nothing wrong and Scotland's line-out was solid under his direction but as someone in the ‘leadership group’ could he have done more to steady the ship as a whole?
We badly needed someone of his stature to figuratively put their foot on the ball and get the team to take a collective breath but there was little in the way of leadership on the field, co-captains notwithstanding, and the blame for that has to lie with the head coach.
It’s hard not to draw the conclusion that the issue is not about lack of talent or ability but is instead one of application and mental fragility.
I'm paraphrasing Churchill when I say never has so little been achieved by those capable of so much more.
Image source, SNSSaracens lock Fi McIntosh is hoping to pick up her first Scotland cap in the upcoming Six Nations after breaking into the national squad last year.
The 24-year-old received her maiden call-up for the WXV2 tournament last October, but didn't make it onto the pitch.
"Obviously the goal of being in Scotland and being in camp is to get a cap and contribute to us going out and winning games," McIntosh said.
"It's a goal that I'm working towards, and I hope that it comes at some point soon. It's an amazing environment, especially in camp. All the girls are so positive with everything that we do."
McIntosh also featured for Edinburgh in the recent Celtic Challenge, and played a key role in their second-place finish.
"It's been great to play with some other players who I haven't necessarily played with before. I'm constantly learning off people that I'm playing with."
Although born in England, McIntosh qualifies through both sides of her family.
"The entirety of my dad's family is all Scottish. My grandparents, my dad and my mum's parents are also Scottish.
"We always joke as a family that the only thing that makes me and my brothers English is the fact that we were born here."
Image source, SNSRound 14 of the PWR took place over the weekend with many Scots taking to the field.
Gloucester-Hartpury, who sit top of the Premiership, kicked the weekend off with a statement 57-24 win over Harlequins at home. Scottish scrum-half Caity Mattinson was on the bench for the hosts.
Loughborough Lightning enter the Six Nations break with a loss after suffering a 43-7 defeat to Exeter Chiefs. Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm crossed the whitewash for Lightning in the 16th minute - her second try in as many games.
Helen Nelson enjoyed a run out at full-back for Lightning alongside her Scotland teammate Malcolm and prop Christine Belisle.
Winger Eilidh Sinclair was also in action over the weekend against her Scottish team-mates for Exeter.
Elliann Clarke started for Bristol Bears in their game against Saracens alongside Evie Gallagher. Lana Skeldon and Meryl Smith were replacements for the Bears. They faced fellow Scots Fi McIntosh, Louise McMillan, Coreen Grant and Beth Blacklock. Bears came out on top beating the London side 35-10.
Anne Young was on the bench for Sale Sharks in their 26-10 defeat against Trailfinders.
Image source, SNSScotland head coach Gregor Townsend has updated his squad ahead of the final Six Nations game against Ireland.
Glen Young and Hamish Watson have been released back to Edinburgh along with Jamie Bhatti who returns to Glasgow Warriors.
Glasgow Warriors' Ally Miller has been called into the squad with Max Williamson and Alex Samuel also training with the squad.
After Scotland's defeat in Rome on Saturday afternoon, Opta has broken down the game for us.
The hosts got on the scoreboard first but it didn't take long for the momentum to swing the way of the Scots. The hosts lost their last 26 games in the Championship before Saturday's clash.
Gregor Townsend's men were victorious in their last 13 games against the Azzurri, including their last two trips to Rome.
This time the Italians have won despite trailing 22-16 at half time and only having 41% of the possession.
Image source, OptaThe first half was dominated by the visitors and their attack threats which would have been reassuring for the Scottish fans as they didn't seem to be giving Italy much breathing space.
The Azzurri however didn't necessarily gain more possession in the second half, they were simply able to convert points as soon as they got the ball.
The stats show that Scotland still had the momentum behind them but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
Italian tears, Smith the saviour & French flair
Image source, SNS
We asked for your thoughts after Italy stunned Scotland with their first home win in 11 years.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Stewart: [Gregor] Townsend needs to go. The players have a responsibility but the buck should stop with him.
Roy: The major question after the weekend is not the result, which was bad enough, but what are the Italians doing at under-20 and youth level that we are not. The future is not looking bright.
Davy: Townsend needs to go. Promise after promise but nothing delivered. He’s had at his disposal the best crop of Scottish players for generations - but what has been achieved? Hee-haw.
Allan: Gregor has to go. Lovely man but completely out his depth these days. The players on the pitch are much better than his coaching.
Billy: That was a gutting loss. Started well at a frenetic pace and we were edging the contact battle to begin with and were deservedley leading in the first half. Warning signs ignored and the second half capitulation was truly rotten.
Dave: Our lack of discipline has cost us against Italy, France, and nearly Wales. Can't keep shifting that many penalties and expect to win test matches.
James: Disappointed by the discipline lack of leadership on the field and the fact that once Scotland establish a lead score against a team they switch off. They lack the urgency, cohesion and structure that they start the game with and they start to play as individuals rather than a team.
David: Played great first 15 minutes, that was it. I've said it before, there's a real mentality and attitude problem throughout the whole team.
John: New coach needed, new captain (one, not two), new mentality - killer instinct! Otherwise we will remain the 'just might be team'.
James: It's clear after two mediocre World Cups, and now the abject collapse of leadership and discipline in the second halves of games in this tournament, that the present management has taken this squad as far as it can. If we don't want to squander the best squad we have had in a long time we need new ideas.
Stu: We've seen this all too often from Scotland. A complete lack of leadership and composure. Congratulations to Italy but we never should have lost that game. Two failed World Cups and now a very disappointing Six Nations for Townsend. Maybe time for someone else to come in and see if they can get a bit more out of a talented group of players.
Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHuw Jones says a failure of game management was at the heart of Scotland’s dismal Six Nations defeat to Italy.
The Scots built a commanding 22-10 lead inside half an hour, but an abject second half display allowed the Azzurri to storm back to win 31-29.
The defeat in Rome all but extinguished the Scots’ title hopes.
“We are gutted with our performance,” said Jones.
“Across the board we managed it badly. The leadership and the processes and the communication was good but we’ve all got to look at ourselves and the actions we took.
“We didn’t execute our plan well enough and Italy played well. We hate losing. It’s really tough to take, hugely disappointing.
“We spoke during the week before the game about having our best performance, having an 80-minute performance, but we were really poor in the second half. We let the game slip away from us.”
Despite another Six Nations title challenge fizzling out before the final weekend, Jones says the team remain firmly behind head coach Gregor Townsend and hope to end the campaign with a better showing against Ireland in Dublin.
“We wanted to get a win and then go to Dublin next week full of confidence and try to do something but this obviously takes the wind out of the sails a bit.
“We’ve got to react, we’ve got to react quickly and prepare for another game.
“We’ll go through a range of emotions but we’ve got to review it objectively and then turn our attention to Ireland.”
Scotland suffer defeat in Rome as Italy record their first Six Nations home win since 2013. We hear from Gregor Townsend and Rory Darge as well as the Sportsound Rugby team.
Listen here.
Image source, SNSGregor Townsend's side will be the "laughing stock of the weekend" after their defeat to Italy in Rome, according to former Scotland prop Peter Wright.
Italy stunned Scotland 31-29 to earn their first home Six Nations win in 11 years.
"We'll be the laughing stock this weekend and this is the sad thing because Italy should be given all the credit," Wright said. "We played rubbish but we played rubbish because Italy played so well.
"Italy played well, did the basics better than Scotland did. We've got a good coach but we've got players who abdicate responsibility. We've said we're a good team for the last eight years and have nothing to show for it.
"They've won nothing. Have they been close? No, they've never won three games in a row in the Six Nations.
"You've got good players on the park today for Scotland but there aren't any real leaders. We keep saying we need to learn and we're going to learn but when will we actually learn?"
Former Scotland sevens captain Colin Gregor echoed Wright's thoughts on a lack of leaders, and believes they are struggling with the mental side of the game.
Gregor said: "When the chips are down, why is everyone playing as individuals?"
"That's a sign of no leaders. Scotland need to weather the storm and stop shipping points in the process.
"Scotland were unable to reestablish control without it becoming catastrophic. That's not on the field training, that's mental and they're struggling with that."
Were you in Rome or hiding behind the sofa at home?
We want to hear your views on Scotland's abject defeat against Italy.
Let us know what you think here.
Image source, SNSRory Darge says Scotland threw the game away as they slumped to a disappointing Six Nations defeat in Rome.
"Obviously gutted," he told Sportsound. "I think it's a game we had by the scruff of the neck. We need to get better at finishing teams off when we're ahead but credit to Italy. All we can focus on is things we can work on and that's discipline, defence.
"The points came quite easily in the first half," he added. "There was good in there, it's tough to acknowledge that now because we're gutted and it'll be hard to think about what we could've done.
"We're going to have to shake this pretty soon. Next week is huge."
Image source, SNSScotland head coach Gregor Townsend told ITV:
"Italy played better in the second half and got more points than us so of course they deserved it.
"I thought we came out in the second half and got the contact area sorted and created a score.
"But it was disallowed and after that we were ill-disciplined. After that try we gave away about six penalties in a row which let them back in the game."
When asked if the occasion got to Scotland: "No.
"We have played in great atmospheres in all the Six Nations games. The players started well and finished well. We lost our discipline and gave Italy opportunities - that is the most disappointing aspect.
"We need to improve next week. We have an even tougher game playing a top team and if we are inaccurate and ill-disciplined it'll cost us."
