{"id":737726,"date":"2026-02-02T17:26:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/737726\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T17:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:26:16","slug":"why-this-is-the-best-chance-gregor-townsend-has-had-at-six-nations-glory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/737726\/","title":{"rendered":"Why this is the best chance Gregor Townsend has had at Six Nations glory"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Scotland\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Just last year, it was announced that Gregor Townsend<\/a> would continue as Scotland<\/a> head coach until at least the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Townsend, who took the head coaching role in 2017, turned Scottish rugby around immediately.<\/p>\n

His first Six Nations<\/a> in 2018 resulted in a superb third, Scotland\u2019s joint-highest finish since Italy<\/a> were added to the tournament.<\/p>\n

The results have remained strong \u2013 or at least strong enough \u2013 for Townsend to continue with the job.<\/p>\n

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need,\u00a0<\/strong>subscribe to The Rugby Paper<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Has the freshness worn off?<\/p>\n

Townsend was a breath of fresh air for a somewhat stale Scotland when he joined, but that was long ago.<\/p>\n

It seems as though every year will be \u2018Scotland\u2019s year\u2019, their chance finally to win a Six Nations. But alas, it still has not come.<\/p>\n

Superb results arrive, before a lack of consistency creeps back in, often leaving the Thistles stuck in mid-table mediocrity for another year.<\/p>\n

It is baffling that Townsend can boast his impressive record against England<\/a>, for example, having only lost two games, one of which came last year, but has never beaten Ireland<\/a> in the 10 attempts he\u2019s had.<\/p>\n

These losses to the Irish weren\u2019t only in the Six Nations either. Townsend\u2019s men have lost to the Irish in both World Cups he has been a part of, which culminated in group stage exits in 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n

Townsend would certainly have had a chuckle to himself when he discovered his side would face Ireland in the pool stage for a third consecutive World Cup in 2027.<\/p>\n

\"ScotlandScotland head coach Gregor Townsend
(Jane Barlow\/PA)<\/p>\n

Do Scotland have the players to win it?<\/p>\n

The Scots are by no means a bad side, in fact they are very good, but they aren\u2019t great.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not like they don\u2019t have the minerals to become a great side, though. <\/p>\n

They have arguably the best and certainly the most exciting fly-half in the world with Finn Russell and combined with world-class centre Sione Tuipulotu, powerhouse Duhan Van Der Merwe and pocket rocket winger Darcy Graham.<\/p>\n

Those players, and many more, provide a back line only rivalled for skill by France<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not to mention a forward pack, containing the likes of Jamie Richie and the Fagerson brothers, which is probably the strongest Townsend has seen.<\/p>\n

There is star talent flowing through the veins of this Scotland team, and perhaps with other teams going through a transitional phase, the flowers of Scotland could bloom in the upcoming Six Nations.<\/p>\n

Have Scotland finally peaked at the right time?<\/p>\n

Scotland have their best shot in years. Ireland are beginning to slip away from their very best, France are transitioning with an inexperienced squad and England are still a question mark regarding just how good they are.<\/p>\n

But Scotland? It really seems as though they are at a real peak in terms of player quality.<\/p>\n

All they need is for Townsend to burst through the small gap the other five nations are beginning to leave. <\/p>\n

There has been very little talk about the Scots, which could swing in their favour if they are to be underestimated.<\/p>\n

If Townsend gets this right, we could see one of the biggest shocks the Six Nations have ever seen.<\/p>\n

\"Leader:Leader: Sione Tuipulotu
PICTURE: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Can Townsend finish the job?<\/p>\n

There are no more disputes between him and Russell, which plagued the team for years, no more claims of mediocrity surrounding the forward pack and a significantly smaller injury pool than the likes of England and France.<\/p>\n

With Wales<\/a> falling to the wayside in recent years, and Italy not yet at their potential peak, Dublin\u2019s Aviva Stadium could be painted blue come the final game of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Everything points to Scotland having a good campaign; Townsend just needs to marry his already excellent attack with an improved defence and he will be there.<\/p>\n

With this set to be his ninth Six Nations, it feels like if he can\u2019t do it now, then when can he?<\/p>\n

Luckily for him, there appears to be a lack of viable replacements, which keeps him fairly safe now that the likes of Warren Gatland<\/a> have been tipped for the All Blacks gig.<\/p>\n

Gregor put Scotland back on the map; now he must finish what he started and cement them as the powerhouse they can be.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Six Nations predictions: Odds for winners, Grand Slam and Triple Crown with France favourites<\/a><\/p>\n

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