For Scotland, 2025 produced a lot of the identical frustrations. Nice hope extinguished by inconsistent shows and dear missed possibilities.
Gregor Townsend’s fees beat Italy and Wales comfortably (for essentially the most half) at residence within the championship, however in opposition to tougher opposition misplaced their different three fixtures to complete fourth once more – the fifth time they’ve completed so in six seasons.
Eire travelled to Murrayfield and dominated Scotland but once more, successful 32-18 for an eleventh successive Take a look at victory in opposition to the Scots, whereas solely the lads in blue will know the way they did not beat England at Twickenham in an understandably infuriating 16-15 defeat.
Their marketing campaign completed out by offering eventual title-winners France a problem in Paris, however not rather more as Les Bleus kicked on to win.
In 2026, Scotland host England and France in Edinburgh, nonetheless, and keep away from Eire in Dublin till the ultimate weekend. May this lastly be their 12 months?
Right here, we take a more in-depth take a look at how Scotland are shaping up forward of their opening residence match of 2026 in opposition to Italy in Rome…
Fixtures
- Italy – Stadio Olimpico – Saturday February 7 – 2.10pm (GMT)
- England – Murrayfield – Saturday February 14 – 4.40pm (GMT)
- Wales – Principality Stadium – Saturday February 21 – 4.40pm (GMT)
- France – Murrayfield – Saturday March 7 – 2.10pm (GMT)
- Eire – Aviva Stadium – Saturday March 14 – 2.10pm (GMT)
What’s modified?
Having missed the 2025 Six Nations marketing campaign because of a pectoral damage, excellent centre Sione Tuipulotu returns to captain the aspect.
There are additionally recollects to the squad for lock Jonny Grey and hooker Dave Cherry, with each having been omitted of Scotland’s disappointing autumn.
Talking of November, Scotland’s greatest probability in a protracted, very long time – maybe ever – to earn a maiden Take a look at victory over New Zealand got here and went as they got here from 17-0 all the way down to degree at 17-17 after which confronted an All Blacks aspect shorn a participant for 10 of the ultimate 18 minutes.
Scotland couldn’t rating in opposition to 14, although, and as an alternative ended up dropping the sport late on.
Townsend’s aspect then additionally managed to endure defeat from the jaws of victory by remarkably surrendering a 21-0 result in lose 33-24 to Argentina at residence, the place the hosts had been booed off.
Scotland’s Autumn marketing campaign was considered one of big frustration, as they let a giant probability to beat New Zealand go them by earlier than dropping to Argentina from 21-0 forward
Anticipated heavy wins over the USA and Tonga both aspect of these losses did little to garner pleasure, regardless of the free-scoring assault concerned in 85-0 and 56-0 wins.
Plenty of Scotland gamers additionally skilled a British and Irish Lions tour through the summer season, as Andy Farrell’s aspect claimed a 2-1 sequence win over Australia.
Loosehead Pierre Schoeman, lock Scott Cummings, scrum-half Ben White, fly-half Finn Russell, centres Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, wing Duhan van der Merwe and full-back Blair Kinghorn had been all chosen for the tour – every from the get-go bar White, who was an early call-up – whereas quite a lot of different gamers had been later added to the squad in Australia as cowl.
Such illustration marked a major change from Scotland’s Lions relationship of latest occasions the place they barely noticed gamers picked, and that may solely have been constructive for them.
Plenty of Scotland gamers, similar to Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn, earned British and Irish Lions illustration in the summertime
What’s sizzling?
Russell has clearly established himself as among the finest playmakers on the planet, and at 33 will view 2026 because the 12 months he should information Scotland to silverware.
The fly-half began all three Assessments for the Lions and excelled in victory in opposition to the Wallabies, whereas he additionally led Tub to Premiership and Problem Cup success final season.
Fly-half Russell is without doubt one of the greatest playmakers on the planet and can view 2026 because the 12 months to steer Scotland to a trophy
Scotland’s again division can also be supremely gifted. Russell, Toulouse full-back Kinghorn and Edinburgh wings Van der Merwe and Darcy Graham are incredible gamers, every able to turning Take a look at matches Scotland’s manner.
Centres Jones and Tuipulotu shone for the Lions through the summer season too, with each ending the tour as Take a look at Lion attempt scorers.
Blair Kinghorn is one other very good performer for Scotland inside their backline
The schedule this 12 months can also be a giant plus for the Scots.
They start by going through Italy away, after which host England at residence in what may show a vital Calcutta Cup so far as the championship is worried.
Wales in Cardiff follows in Spherical 3, which at this stage ought to sign victory such are Wales’ issues, earlier than a house contest in opposition to the defending champions France in Spherical 4 follows a fallow week to recharge.
Scotland conclude their marketing campaign away to bogey aspect Eire, however by that stage should still be within the hunt for one thing whereas the Irish – who seem a aspect in decline – could have already been dominated out of the operating.
Scotland host England and France at Murrayfield in 2026 and keep away from bogey aspect Eire in Dublin till the ultimate weekend
What’s not?
There’s a rising sense in Scottish rugby – significantly after the frustrations of November – that change could also be wanted on the prime for them to take the subsequent step ahead.
Townsend has been in command of Scotland since 2017, and whereas there isn’t any doubting they’re and have been a greater aspect below him than they had been earlier than, he has additionally overseen back-to-back Rugby World Cup pool stage exits in 2019 and 2023, by no means crushed Eire, New Zealand or South Africa in a Take a look at, nor guided Scotland to Six Nations glory.
The 52-year-old was very pointedly and publicly requested by Scottish journalists through the Autumn if his place must be in query, and whether or not he had the urge for food to proceed within the function. For now, he stays in place.
Gregor Townsend has been in command of Scotland since 2017 and got here below huge stress in November
In some ways, Scotland’s efficiency in opposition to the All Blacks at Murrayfield in November may and may have develop into considered one of their best ever days, however they fell flat when alternative knocked.
That too has develop into a repeated development: Scotland displaying psychological fragility or an incapacity to strike on the greatest moments within the greatest Assessments.
The Achilles heel of Scottish rugby stays their lack of energy within the forwards and on the set-piece, although. It’s this space of the pitch which continues to depart them behind different sides, and is carefully linked to their maddening inconsistency.
Championship report
Six Nations since 2000: None
General: 15 titles outright (1887, 1889, 1891, 1895, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1907, 1925, 1929, 1933, 1938, 1984, 1990, 1999)
Scotland’s 40-player squad for the 2026 Six Nations:
Forwards (23): Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Tub), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Vannes), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Alex Craig (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Grey (Bordeaux Bègles), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), George Turner (Harlequins), Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors).
Backs (17): Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings (Glasgow), George Horne ( Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Bristol), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Tub), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Ollie Smith (Glasgow), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow, captain), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).
