If we are now entering the final throes of Gregor Townsend’s reign as Scotland head coach, with results and performances making that a definite possibility, then one might wonder where it all started to go wrong.
Everyone will have their own view on when the slide started, going as far back as the last World Cup in 2023 when he became the only Scotland coach to preside over two pool-stage exits.
On the back of that tournament, Scotland won only two matches in each of the next two Six Nations and finished in fourth place. Hardly a sign that any corners had been turned.
But it was Townsend’s decision to take on a side hustle with Red Bull, shortly after signing a new Scotland contract last September, that brought intense scrutiny on his position.
That consultancy role – and the expectation of him joining Newcastle Red Bulls – reared its head again last week, prior to Scotland starting this year’s Six Nations with a lamentable display as they lost 18-15 to Italy in Rome.
A story claimed he would be taking over at Newcastle after the next World Cup and, with the Calcutta Cup clash only a week away, Townsend claimed it had been purely disruption tactics in the English media.
Gregor Townsend shut down the line of questioning when asked about his job with Red Bull
The Scotland head coach organises his plan of attack for Calcutta Cup clash on Saturday
Townsend has been dealing with a lot of flak following Scotland’s defeat in Rome
Facing some English journalists yesterday, Townsend was asked whether he had felt the need to address the Red Bull issue with his players at any point.
‘No,’ he deadpanned. One-word answer. Death stare. Conversation over. It was a perfectly legitimate question, but a line of inquiry that he was unwilling to entertain any further.
Townsend went on to speak about the pressure that is building and the failure to meet expectations in Rome. He understands the anger and criticism, or so he claimed.
The levels of frustration, and scrutiny over his position, have never been greater than right now. He is determined that he and his players will block out the noise as much as possible.
‘To be honest, it’s only really on days like this where you have to experience it [media scrutiny and criticism] because it’s such a busy job,’ reasoned the Scotland head coach.
‘You fill every minute of the day with reviewing what we could have done better, going into selection, going into training.
‘It’s part of the job, part of losing. The feeling of losing is worse than the distraction around people giving their opinions. It’s the feeling of losing that’s the hardest one you have to get over.
‘It’s part of the game, I understand it. We’re all sports fans. We understand what happens when you lose, when people open up to criticise you or the team.
Townsend supervises training as his players prepare for England game at Murrayfield
The Scotland boss sees the funny side ahead of a crucially important match for Scots
‘When we’re sitting in the changing room after a game, after the defeat, it [criticism] is not something that you would ever think that’s going to be in the front of your mind.
‘It’s the feeling of disappointment, thinking about what you could have done better, the pain of losing, that’s what stays with you.
‘Now, as you get to day one or day two after a game, I’m sure there will be a few players, staff, that will be going on the internet, seeing things, and starting to go: “Oh, there’s more than just a defeat. There’s things that are out there”.
‘But it’s not really relevant to us or a big part of our focus.’
Asked whether a win over England would change the narrative over his stewardship, Townsend replied: ‘I don’t know. It’s up to you guys [the media] what you say about the narrative.
‘But that’s not really relevant for our team. I imagine it’s not relevant for our supporters. Our supporters want to to see us win. That’s what we are trying to do.’
Townsend can try to block out the noise all he wants. He can seek to impart that message on his players till he’s blue in the face.
But who created that noise in the first place? Townsend and his bosses at Scottish Rugby opened the door to all of it when he chose to pursue the consultancy role with Red Bull, and they allowed him to do so.
Likewise, his claim that the media set the narrative was just more deflection. As has always been the case in sport, results determine the narrative. Nothing else.
Only positive results will quieten down the ‘noise’ that Townsend has been dealing with
Gregor Townsend has a good record as Scotland head coach when it comes to facing England
Positive results have the power to make a lot of the other stuff go away. Or at least quieten it all down. It has been on the head coach’s watch that results have nose-dived.
Given his comments about disruption tactics from an ‘English newspaper’ last week, there is clearly a part of Townsend that feels all of this is a witch-hunt against him.
He’s fooling no one. Much of what he said yesterday was unconvincing. His capacity for self-reflection remains minimal.
He is a head coach clinging to his job, albeit one who is seeking to continue an unprecedented run of dominance over England, with Scotland lifting the Calcutta Cup in six of eight years under Townsend.
Rejuvenated, and arriving at Murrayfield on the back of 12 straight wins, England have designs on going all the way and winning the Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick’s side will start as favourites as they look to build on their emphatic victory over Wales on the opening weekend.
On the bench, England have their young superstar Henry Pollock, the 21-year-old who has taken the game by storm since making his breakthrough for Northampton just over a year ago.
He has since reached a Champions Cup final, been part of a victorious Lions tour, and played a key role in England’s resurgence over the past 12 months.
Both of Pollock’s parents were born and bred in Scotland, which would have made him eligible to pull on the dark blue shirt. Daily Mail Sport understands there was contact with his camp a couple of years ago.
While being full of praise for the dynamic young back-rower, and comparing him to All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke, Townsend insisted yesterday that those conversations about playing for Scotland never really got off the ground.
Townsend sang the praises of England’s Henry Pollock and knows he could be a thorn in Scotland’s side on Saturday
‘No, there was no conversations, so we didn’t get down that road at all,’ he insisted.
‘He’s been excellent. I obviously played with Northampton many, many years ago, so I watch a lot of their games.
‘It’s been a joy to watch. Whether he starts or whether he comes off the bench, he plays with real energy.
‘He’s a hugely skilled player. You look at the way he can chip-and-chase – I’ve not seen that kind of skill from a back-rower since maybe Zinzan Brooke.
He’s aggressive, too, so we know he’s going to make an impact in whatever way at the weekend.
‘He’s one of England’s best players, and the way they use him certainly brings something different in that final quarter of the game.’
