Sione Tuipulotu admits trying to win over disgruntled supporters will be one of Scotland’s objectives during the Six Nations.
Gregor Townsend’s side head into the competition under a cloud following a dismal autumn series that saw them beaten by New Zealand before capitulating against Argentina.
The late collapse against the Pumas — that saw them ship a 21-0 lead to slump to a 33-24 loss — led to the team being booed off at Murrayfield by an unhappy home support.
Those defeats, on top of Scotland’s uninspiring Six Nations record overall, mean few are tipping them to challenge for the title this year.
And Tuipulotu conceded that trying to regain the backing of their own public will be one of the main targets instead.
The Scotland captain said: ‘I think the other teams deserve the expectation more than us. And I think that may be a good thing for us not to carry the expectation of everyone.
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is happy his team aren’t weighed down by expectation
Tuipulotu and head coach Gregor Townsend attend the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh
Argentina’s surprise win at Murrayfield saw Scotland end 2025 on something of a low note
‘To go and play games and earn the trust of each other, and also probably regaining some of the trust from the public, is something that I’m really excited to do.
‘I think a lot of them probably have the right to feel like that as supporters. And this is something that I take responsibility for. When you’re the captain, you’re at the front of the line when things go well, which is probably how it went the previous autumn when we beat Australia and things like that.
‘But you’re also at the front of the line when things don’t go well and I’m fully on board with that. That’s my role as captain.
‘We are the men in the arena. And it’s important that we remember that we’re the ones that go out there and have to wear the armour and, I suppose, wear the pressure and everything like that.
‘And that’s what I love about rugby. It’s important that we also internalise in the group how we think about ourselves, not take public perception in, because perception will change when results come, and that’s when you see things flip pretty quickly.
‘We got served up the same criticism when maybe we were struggling to get those wins at Glasgow. But it’s funny how quickly public perception changes.
‘It’s often the people that probably ride you the hardest that come back and check when you’re doing well. And now that we’ve been doing well for Glasgow the same people are riding our coattails a little bit. So, it’s funny to see that dynamic and I’m hoping that will be the same dynamic for Scotland.’
Glasgow hooker Gregor Hiddleston has been in inspired form this season and could feature
Townsend has called up Gregor Hiddleston as injury cover for Dave Cherry after initially omitting the Glasgow hooker from the squad. And Tuipulotu revealed what he said to Hiddleston before the call came.
He added: ‘I know there’s been a big uproar about him not getting picked but, as a team-mate of Gregor’s at Glasgow, I said to him when he wasn’t selected, “Just keep doing what you’re doing, mate”.
‘I’m really proud of the young core at Glasgow that have stepped forward into their senior roles. That jersey was Johnny Matthews’ for a long time and there were always people calling for Johnny Matthews to be in the [Scotland] squad.
‘Johnny has obviously had his troubles with injuries. Now Gregor’s taken a step forward and taken that responsibility. We don’t win these games that we won during Autumn and Six Nations if those young boys don’t take the step forward, and they have, and I can’t tell you how proud I am.’
Scotland have also called up scrum-half Gus Warr due to injury concerns over Jamie Dobie, while flanker Liam McConnell has returned to Edinburgh for treatment on a rib injury.
