Scottish Rugby

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

On Wednesday's BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast, former captain Rory Lawson spoke about Tom Jordan's performance against South Africa and how, at times in live commentary, he mistook the full-back for Huw Jones.

He wouldn't have been alone. Jordan moves a bit like Jones, which is a hell of a compliment because not many do. His running game and the way he takes on defences is not dissimilar to the centre. He's an elusive, powerful and clever player.

It's desperately early in Jordan's international career, but trying to keep calm about the impact he's made isn't easy. He’s been outstanding at full-back which is his third-best position behind fly-half - where he played when Glasgow won the URC - and centre - where he's played a lot of his rugby.

In the last year of his contract with Glasgow, the vultures have been hovering and Jordan will leave at the end of the season to join Bristol Bears.

With his versatility, he's threatening to be a game-changer for Gregor Townsend. Jordan's appearance on the scene is shaking things up.

Blair Kinghorn, terrific for Toulouse and deemed a certainty at 15 for his country, has a rival, who's brave, good under the high ball and dangerous in attack.

Finn Russell and Adam Hastings now have company at 10. Russell will stay where he is for the big games, but Jordan is a major threat to Hastings' place in every 23-man squad from now on.

There are other potential consequences. When fit, there are six main contenders for the back three positions - Kinghorn and Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe.

Pick a back three and cover out of that lot. Kinghorn-Van der Merwe-Graham with Jordan covering? Jordan-Steyn-Van der Merwe with Kinghorn covering? It looks more than decent no matter which way you cut it.

With Jordan and Kinghorn able to operate in multiple positions, will Townsend be more tempted to muscle up with a 6-2 split on the bench more often?

Townsend's options among his forwards have increased, too. Max Williamson is not the coming man at lock any more. He's arrived. If Jonny Gray is intending to make himself available for the Six Nations, great. If not, Williamson and Alex Samuel, two young and hungry Glasgow giants, are banging on the door.

Gregor Brown is a big option at six now. Injured denied Euan Ferrie a shot at the autumn series but he'll be applying pressure for a bench spot soon enough.

Scotland failed to take their chances against the Boks and got obliterated by their power in the endgame, but this autumn has already thrown up interesting talking points. Does Williamson start in the Six Nations? And what to do with the back three now?

Kinghorn covers full-back, wing and 10. Jordan covers full-back, 12 and 10. Steyn is Glasgow’s captain and one of the reasons why they're URC champions. He probably doesn't get the love he deserves at times but, in this space, he'd be the first wing on the teamsheet.

Van der Merwe, for all his power and unpredictability, would make the starting line-up, too. That means, if it's a 6-2, potentially no Graham and no Rowe in the squad. Two terrific players not making it.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear: Jordan is giving Townsend some nice problems in the composition of his back three and his options off the bench.

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Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Luke Crosbie says he is desperate to stake his claim for a Scotland back-row berth against Portugal after injuries and competition for places saw him slide down the pecking order for the national team.

Crosbie started the victories over England and Wales in the 2023 Six Nations, but a shoulder injury in February’s victory in Cardiff on the opening weekend ended his involvement in this year's tournament.

That has allowed the Glasgow Warriors trio of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey to establish themselves as the first choice back-row at Test level.

Crosbie returned to play in Scotland’s summer tour of the Americas, and with Dempsey ruled out injured for possibly the remainder of the Autumn Nations Series, the door has opened for the Edinburgh man to remind Gregor Townsend what he can do.

"I'm just waiting for that green light to go out there and do my thing and get back in the mix," Crosbie said.

"It's a rollercoaster. One minute you're starting against Wales and the next minute you're having to get your missus to help put your socks on. That's part of the sport. It was tough.

"You ride the emotion on the day. I want to put on a good performance to play the next week and then all of a sudden one knock, your whole mindset, thought process leading up to Six Nations completely changes. That's it.

"I've come back better from that. Now I'm just really focused on getting back out there, playing with a thistle on my chest and enjoying what I do."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson says some perspective is required by those who believe the national side have plateaued under Gregor Townsend.

The Scots battled hard before going down 32-15 to world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Despite some impressive scalps during Townsend's tenure - including regular Calcutta Cup success against England and notable victories over France - wins over the world's top three of the Springboks, Ireland and New Zealand have proved elusive.

Townsend also guided Scotland to a record high of fifth in the world rankings – they currently sit sixth – but in his seven Six Nations campaigns as head coach, the team have been unable to finish above third in the table.

"I think the reality is that measuring yourself against these top teams in the world, we all want to be operating at that in that position, but sometimes even when you've put in a performance, you've just got to step away and say we weren't good enough on that day," Lawson told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"We have been very, very competitive in the Six Nations of late. Gregor's win record is as good as they've come for a Scottish coach.

"His job is to create an environment whereby the best rugby players in Scotland are at their best, individually and as a team on these matchdays, and he's not far away from doing that.

"I spoke to a few of the guys after the South Africa game and said to what extent can you make that the level that every team experiences when it comes to physicality, intensity for Scotland?

"That has got to be the benchmark now for Scotland."

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Former Scotland flanker and head coach Derrick Grant has died at the age of 86.

Hawick-born Grant won 14 caps as a back-row forward between 1965 and 1968.

He went on to take charge of the national team for a three-year spell from 1985, giving debuts to the likes of Gavin Hastings, Scott Hastings, Finlay Calder and David Sole.

In announcing his death, Scottish Rugby described Grant as "a quiet and humble man, ahead of his time in his ability to analyse a game and get the best out of his charges".

The governing body added: "Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Derrick's wife, Elsie, sons David and Steven, daughter-in-laws Susan and Ann and their families, plus his many friends in Scotland and beyond."

Two down, two to go.

At the halfway point of the Autumn Nations Series, Scotland have a win and a defeat so far.

After the battling loss to world champions South Africa, and with the visit of Portugal up next this Saturday, what would you like to ask 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.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

In 1998 the Springboks embarked on a tour of Great Britain and Ireland. They were world champions and every bit, if not more, imperious than they are today having been unbeaten for 15 matches before they faced the might of Edinburgh in a tour match at Easter Road.

If the venue was designed to confuse the visitors, it failed, as a largely second-string South Africa swatted away the Edinburgh challenge 49-3.

Four days later South Africa beat Scotland 35-10 at Murrayfield and in a nod to the game we've just watched Johan (Rassie) Erasmus was in the Springboks starting XV and Gregor Townsend was on the bench for the hosts.

1998 had been a tough year for Scotland. We finished second bottom of the Five Nations with only one win to celebrate then went on a summer tour of Oceania where we lost twice against Australia and once to Fiji.

The outcomes last weekend were similar to that game in 1998 but it was a valiant effort Scotland put in on this occasion. Only the Saffers power game and the fact Scott Cummings didn't deploy his slide rule before getting stuck into a ruck meant the result went their way.

I'd also like to congratulate the match officials for their historic first use of the 20-minute red card rule. If only they had remembered the 'within two phases' part of the TMO protocol as well.

On a more positive note I thought Tom Jordan was excellent. He hasn't even started a game for Glasgow at 15 yet his positioning and contributions were excellent.

In the unsung category I'd like to nominate Grant Gilchrist. Every time he’s named in a Scotland team there are naysayers yet he goes about his job with quiet resolve.

On Sunday he was Scotland's top tackler and put in a big shift of unseen work for the whole 80 minutes.

Sandy Smith can be found at The Burgh Watch, external

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Facing Portugal should give Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend a welcome chance to give fringe players an opportunity to impress, according to Colin Gregor.

The former Scotland Sevens scrum-half thinks the bigger "impact" made by South Africa's bench compared to their hosts played a major part in the world champions' 32-15 win at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Scotland, at sixth in the world, will be strong favourites at home to 15th-ranked Portugal in Saturday's next Autumn Test in Edinburgh.

"It's an opportunity for the wider squad probably to get some game time," Gregor told BBC Scotland. "It's a chance to hopefully sort of broaden the depth in the squad - maybe some first caps for the likes of Ben Muncaster and Alex Samuels."

Sione Tuipulotu's brother, fellow centre Mosese, is still waiting for his Scotland cap after joining Edinburgh.

"We could have another Tuipulotu representing Scotland," Gregor suggested. "Which, if Sione is anything to go by, that could be pretty mouthwatering."

Gregor thinks there were parts of Scotland's performance on Sunday they "could be proud of".

The way they "fronted up physically" to "the big Springboks was definitely commendable" and also the way they dealt with an early red card for Scott Cummings.

Centre Huw Jones "was outstanding", while full-back Tom Jordan and forward Zander Fagerson also impressed, but they were unable to take their opportunities to score a try against a world champion defence and, once they "started to run out of ideas", they conceded crucial penalties.

Scotland now realise how tough it will be in their final Autumn Test after Australia beat England on Sunday.

"Before this weekend, you would have thought that Scotland were odds-on favourites to win that one," Gregor added. "But Australia won at Twickenham, scoring plenty of points and seemed to unearth a new superstar recruit from rugby league [Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii]."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland step up the physicality

Physicality, or a lack of it, has long been cited as Scotland’s big Achillies heel when it comes to facing the very best sides in the world.

While the Scots have found regular success against the likes of England and France, they have struggled against teams who put an emphasis on unrelenting forward power – namely Ireland and South Africa.

There are signs, though, that Gregor Townsend’s men are now better equipped to deal that physical might.

In the last Six Nations they put up an astonishing rearguard action in Dublin, meeting Irish fire with fire in a ferociously physical battle.

Again they did not give an inch against the Springboks at Murrayfield on Sunday, giving as good as they got in the tackle area.

Where they did struggle was at scrum time, with the Boks dominating throughout.

Matching the best teams physically is just one element. Matching their ruthlessness and ability to close out games is still a work in progress.

Wasteful Scots let Boks off the hook

Where that ruthlessness was most blatantly lacking was in the red zone.

Scotland had a 20-minute period in the second half where they genuinely looked to have the Springboks rattled, but every time they looked on the brink of breaking through, they invariably derailed their own momentum.

The excellent Tom Jordan burst through the Boks defence at one point and despite have a man on his inside and outside, held onto the ball and the move fizzled out.

On another entry to the 22, Scotland had the Boks defence scrambling but Ben White chose to go down the congested short side rather than play to space and the South Africans were able to recover.

Perhaps most frustratingly, the Scots had a lineout 5m from the try-line at a critical moment and, you guessed it, made a mess of it.

You could point to a number of these moments, and some dubious referee calls, as reasons why Scotland could not get it done.

In truth, the best sides make their own luck and when South Africa’s chances came they converted. Therein lies the difference between a very good side, which Scotland undoubtedly are, and the very best.

Jordan at home in Test arena

Tom Jordan was certainly thrown in at the deep end, starting his first international at full-back against the world champions having never played a senior match at 15.

The Glasgow utility back demonstrated he belongs in the Test arena with another excellent display after his impressive international debut off the bench against Fiji.

Jordan is a talented footballer – you would have to be to cover the multitude of positions he does – but he’s also tough and never once looked overawed by his illustrious opponents.

He was a threat in attack, carrying 12 times, making 147m - more than anyone else on the pitch - and beat five defenders in the process.

Jordan was also solid in defence and tended his back-field well.

Next week’s match against Portugal will likely see a fair bit of experimentation from Gregor Townsend, but his back three selection for the final match against Australia will be fascinating.

Duhan van der Merwe is normally a stick-on, Darcy Graham and Kyle Rowe should be back and Blair Kinghorn has been one of Scotland’s mainstays in recent years, but Jordan on this form will be hard to leave out.

We asked for your views on Scotland's 15-32 loss to South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series.

Here's a flavour of what you had to say:

Ben: Very proud of the performance today, thought we really stepped up to the best team in the world. But in order to win, we needed to play a nine or 10 out of 10 game, and get some luck with referee decisions and the bounce of the ball, which we did not. We did a lot well, but ultimately South Africa showed why they are the best team in the world right now.

James: A deserved win for South Africa but hope for Scotland. A good second-half period where a try would have made it closer but too many errors with ball-in-hand. South Africa's power and pressure told at the end. A true Test match.

Johny: Scotland really fronted up against the relentless South African pace and power and, with some slightly better decision making, could have got a couple of tries.

Kaya: Bok fan here. Scotland were ferocious at the breakdown, very physical and collectively smart to knock the Boks back. South Africa were not clinical enough for large chunks, but at the end we managed to close it out. Eben Etzebeth said the game was a lot closer than the score shows. The Scots are a very intelligent and hard-working team, very well coached.

Michael: Another so near, yet so far from Scotland. The decision to kick points was laudable and showed maturity, but the lack of ambition for the final penalty under the posts was costly - South Africa were there to be beaten at the point. That absence of killer instinct shows how far we are from winning these serious Test matches.

Matthew: Once again, basic errors cost us try-scoring opportunities. We should have got a couple of tries. The ref didn't really help, but ultimately, it was the errors that cost the game. We need to target winning the Six Nations, with Andy Farrell away with the Lions next year, it's probably going to be our best chance.

MoLambo: A scoreline that flatters South Africa. A highly positive performance by Scotland. Very little of 'Finn the Magician' but the team were perhaps all the better for it tonight. Frustrating handling errors and, arguably some controversial refereeing decisions but a leviathan effort by the team!

Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman rues "big moments" that went unconverted in Sunday's 15-32 defeat by South Africa.

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Scotland will look to "right the wrongs" from their 32-15 defeat to South Africa in their remaining Autumn Nations Series matches against Portugal and Australia, according to Matt Fagerson.

The Scots battled valiantly against the world champions but were ultimately outscored 4-0 on the try count.

"We pride ourselves on our defence and our work rate and I think that showed today and that's something that we've been building over the last couple of years," Fagerson said.

"I thought today showed that we made great strides in that area.

"We've got two massive games against Portugal and Australia - they had a massive win against England - so we've got two massive games to front up."

Fagerson says Scotland were guilty of a lack of composure when they engineered promising attacking positions deep in South African territory.

"I just think we've got to be more patient when we get into the 22 to finish off these chances," said the Glasgow back-rower.

"Patience and being able to hold the ball against a team like South Africa is absolutely crucial and sometimes we maybe pulled the trigger a little bit too early.

"Against a team like South Africa, two time world champions, you don’t get those opportunities back."

Scotland fans, were you at Murrayfield to watch the loss against South Africa, or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say., external

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC Scotland: "A lot of pride in the performance. I thought it was a brilliant Test match - hugely physical.

"We matched South Africa for a lot of the game and we were down to 14 for 20 minutes. I thought the team looked mentally strong.

"A couple of skill errors cost us and we didn't get the rub of the green with decisions, clearly. South Africa then showed their power in the last 10 minutes.

"That effort in the second half was outstanding. To open up their defence at times and match their physicality. We will be frustrated because there were a couple of opportunities out there.

"We played one of our best games of the last few years today, and we pushed the world champions very close. There are areas we have to improve, but some of the defence today was world class. The effort that went in is all we want from a Scotland team.

"We know we could have executed better and had decisions go against us, but they deserved to win, South Africa."

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Scotland need to have a "10 out of 10" game if they are to defeat the Springboks, according to former scrum-half Rory Lawson.

It's been 14 years since the Scots beat South Africa at Murrayfield - a game in which Lawson captained - with the Boks going on to win the World Cup twice since.

"When you welcome a team that's not only done it once, but has done it a record number of times, you know it's a challenge," Lawson told BBC Radio Scotland.

"For anybody in any high performance environment, you want to challenge yourself against the best in the world and that's exactly what Gregor Townsend and his side are going to be doing this weekend."

Rassie Erasmus' side added a fifth Rugby Championship title to their trophy cabinet over the summer, but come into the autumn internationals as the number two side in the world rankings.

"Scotland's defence will have to be very good, under Steve Tandy, you know what's coming with South Africa albeit they have evolved their game to play a little bit more now.

"Scotland have to get their attacking game right. Assuming they all get the other bits right, you have got to be able to score points against South Africa because they score points.

"I believe that Gregor Townsend, on the whole, will believe that Scotland's game - if they nail a ten out of ten game - with the way that they plan it, will win the game. I would be surprised if he didn't have a couple of little tricks up his sleeve."

The Scottish attack looked to be at its best in a record 57-17 win over Fiji - and that was without first-choice half-backs Ben White and Finn Russell.

"We saw a couple of set piece plays last week against Fiji that just shows the creativity. He'll have unpicked all of the aspects of the Springboks' game that he believes there's even a slightest opportunity to have a go at them.

"They can have off days. They can have six out of ten days. There's part of that that you can create yourselves by asking questions of them that put them under pressure. That's exactly the way that Townsend will have looked to come into this week."

Apart from hoping South Africa have an off-day, Lawson believes Scotland will have to match South Africa in the biggest asset of their game - physicality.

"Every game, you know you have to be emotionally there. Emotion is such an important thing because it's directly linked to being physically ready for the challenge.

"Against South Africa it's different. You know that within their DNA, it is physicality. They love body on body contact. They typically seek physical dominance.

"That is the core of what matters to South African players. It's what matters to South African people. Physically and mentally and emotionally, you've got to be ready for the challenge and know what's coming."