With the Guinness Men’s Six Nations getting underway this weekend, our attention turns to Scotland. Having already previewed England and Wales’ chances, we’ve taken a closer look at Gregor Townsend’s side, who enjoyed a positive showing in the Autumn Nations Series.
Despite finishing fourth in last year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Scotland fans have every reason to be positive going into this year’s competition. They performed well in the Autumn Nations Series, winning three of their four matches.
The Scots stormed past Fiji in their opening game, scoring nine tries in a 57-17 rout, with Darcy Graham bagging four. They followed that up with a defeat to South Africa before beating Portugal in their third game.
Scotland came up against Australia in their final match of the series and against all odds, they ran out 27-13 winners in a triumphant performance. Duhan van der Merwe notched his 30th international try to edge back in front as Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer.
Their strong showing at the back end of last year will breed confidence ahead of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, as will their recent head-to-head record against England. Scotland have won their last four meetings with their neighbours. In fact, England have won just one of the last seven meetings between the two nations.
Scotland will be desperate to continue that run but they’ll need to improve their results against the other sides. They’ve not won the competition since its final outing as the Five Nations back in 1999, while they’ve only finished in the top half of the final table twice in the last decade.
They start their campaign against Italy, which could breed some much-needed confidence into both the players and the fans. On the other hand, a difficult game and a negative result could see them doomed before the tournament has barely started.
Fergus Burke will be looking to make an impression after being drafted into the Scotland squad for the first time. The 25-year-old is from New Zealand but qualifies for the Scots through his grandfather.
The fly-half has plenty of pedigree, having joined Saracens last year to replace Owen Farrell. Burke is joined in the squad by fellow first-timer Jack Mann, who will be hoping to gain his maiden international cap this weekend.
Elsewhere, the experienced Jonny Gray is back in the squad after missing the Autumn Nations Series through injury. Dave Cherry has also earned a recall, while Glasgow Warriors centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain his nation.
Record try scorer Van der Merwe is in the squad and will be hoping to continue his rich scoring form – he scored nine tries in 2024, including a hat-trick in Scotland’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations win over England.
Max Williamson has missed out on the squad with an injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Steyn is also injured, but could make a return for Scotland’s later games.
Scotland v Italy – Saturday 1st February, 14:15
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Scotland v Ireland – Sunday 9th February, 15:00
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
England v Scotland – Saturday 22nd February, 16:45
Allianz Stadium, London
Scotland v Wales – Saturday 8th March, 16:45
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh
France v Scotland – Saturday 15th March, 20:00
Stade de France, Paris
Three of Scotland’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations matches take place at the iconic Murrayfield Stadium and you can join us for the action in the best seats in the house.
You’ll be treated like royalty from minute one, with priority check-in, dedicated turnstiles and unrivalled views of the pitch. Plus, you’ll also get all of this:
● Welcome drink of champagne, gin and tonic or beer
● Three-course meal and post-match snack created by our Executive Head Chef
● Fully inclusive bar with dedicated drinks hosts
● Fine wines chosen by our sommelier alongside your meal
● Entertainment from rugby legends past and present
● The chance to win exclusive memorabilia
We’d love for you to join us in the Thistle Suite – enquire today to reserve your place.
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Bordeaux), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Will Hurd (Leicester), Jack Mann (Glasgow), D’Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh)
Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Matt Currie (Edinburgh), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon)
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