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'Motivated' Scotland outline plan to snatch Six Nations glory from France

By PA
Matt Fagerson and Finn Russell - PA

Gregor Townsend says Scotland are determined to take their Guinness Six Nations title fight to the wire.

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Scotland’s 26-23 comeback win against Wales kept alive hopes of a first European title since 1999 – the final year of the Five Nations Championship before Italy joined the competition.

Townsend’s side trailed 20-5 at the start of the second half in Cardiff, but Scotland dug deep to build on their Murrayfield victory over England after losing to Italy in their Rome opener.

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Scotland resume their title bid at home to France on March 7 before meeting Ireland in Dublin, where victory would secure their first Triple Crown for 36 years.

Head coach Townsend said: “We’ve got two games to look ahead to, and obviously the France game is massively important in terms of our Championship aspirations.

Fixture
Six Nations
Scotland
50 - 40
Full-time
France
All Stats and Data

“The Ireland game is huge as well for a number of reasons. One it’s Ireland and we’re going to see them a few times over the next couple of years with the World Cup.

“Also the Triple Crown and we’ve got to do all we can to be in the Championship in the last round.

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“So the best thing is obviously beating France and staying in the mix, and that’s what we’ll be working on the next 10 to 14 days.

“France are a top, top side. If you let them play, as in you don’t stop them at source and don’t stop their offloads, then they’re going to cause you damage.

“They are playing some outstanding rugby, so we’ve got to make sure we don’t let them get 20-30 points on the scoreboard.

“We always get really motivated for the French game. We know it’s going to be open and if you don’t get your defence right it’s going to be a long day.

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“But it also allows the other team to be part of that too, and that’s a game we want to play.”

Scotland were wounded in the autumn after letting slip a 21-point lead against Argentina.

But Townsend believes the lessons learned from that painful defeat have been put to good use in the Six Nations.

“We’ve spoken since Argentina where we didn’t manage momentum well,” said Townsend.

Six Nations

P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
3
3
0
0
15
2
Scotland
3
2
1
0
11
3
Ireland
3
2
1
0
9
4
England
3
1
2
0
5
5
Italy
3
1
2
0
5
6
Wales
3
0
3
0
1

“We managed it well last week, we never let England come back into the game unlike Argentina.

“We had to fight really hard (against Wales) and stick together, so that’s progress and a hugely important game for us in our development.

“There a lot of things we have to improve of course, but the one thing we needed to improve from Argentina we’ve shown.

“Even in Rome the guys came back, but we run out of time and the weather didn’t help.

“But the last two game we’ve shown a real mental strength to find ways to win.”

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Comments

17 Comments
S
SB 45 days ago

The biggest game of the tournament, should be amazing.


so we’ve got to make sure we don’t let them get 20-30 points on the scoreboard.

This will be extremely difficult to do.

E
Eric Elwood 45 days ago

That rectangle of space between LBB and the goal line must be defended at all times.

Italy put up a Garryowen. It broke to Dupont. That rectangle was empty. He kicked into it and try. I think the person taking the kick on that side should drop back.

Will be LBB versus Steyn. Fascinating. LBB is now a defensive menace. He was able to catch up to any opposition break on his wing which means attackers have to look behind him instead of ahead.

But Scotland showed that if they know enough about a team and are motivated enough they have the players to construct a win. They need to hit France with a ferocious and accurate tonne of bricks.

G
GRB13 45 days ago

France 2026 6 Nations champions.

E
Eric Elwood 45 days ago

Probably. But perhaps respect Scotland and England before you play them?

J
John Breslin 45 days ago

It's been a cracking fixture across this decade albeit Scotland have a habit of not always going the full 80 mins against them.


Could well be the game of the tournament

E
Eric Elwood 45 days ago

The only way to the title for either Scotland or Ireland is winning the final two matches with France also losing to England.

J
John Breslin 45 days ago

Yeah, should really be a perfect slam of Bonus point wins. I think this French team is deserving of that little bit of history.


They'll have to work for it though against the Scots.

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