Scotland’s wait for a major rugby title could be coming to an end. The chance has arrived after decades of frustration. Scotland are preparing for their most significant championship game since 1999.
Triple Crown in Sight for Scotland
Silverware is on the line in the shape of a Triple Crown. The Triple Crown doesn’t mean as much as it used to, not to the nations who are used to winning it. To Scotland, it would be rugby paradise.
Saturday in Dublin is about so many things. It’s about an end to 11 defeats in a row against Ireland, a fourth win in the championship for the first time, a second-place finish also for the first time, and a first Triple Crown since 1990. It would only be a third since 1938. Ireland have won eight in the Six Nations era alone.
Scotland’s Journey to Contention
In Rome, Scotland suffered misery, but in every other way it feels like months ago. Scotland have not won a title since the 1999 Five Nations.
Scotland went from Rome to England, then Wales. In Wales, Scotland would not have come back from 20-5 down in a game of that intensity in years gone by. Then came France.
Before the deluge of Scottish tries against France, there was another examination of Scotland’s resolve. Scotland ran them off the road with forty unanswered points.
Key Players and Coaching
Stand-off Finn Russell and centre Sione Tuipulotu form a world-class midfield axis.
Gregor Townsend, in his ninth Six Nations, has finally led them to their most significant championship game since the boys of 1999 won the title. Cotter took Scotland forward but it is Gregor Townsend who has finally led them to their most significant championship game since the boys of 1999 won the title.
- Scotland have made three changes for their key visit to Ireland
- Scotland have not won a title since the 1999 Five Nations
Maybe a championship, too, but that’s more complicated, more distant when France are still the hot favourites to clinch it despite what Scotland did to them last weekend.