Gregor Townsend believes Scotland raised the bar to a new level after a stunning victory over France blew the Six Nations championship wide open.
The Scots scored seven tries and 50 points in a rampant display which will rank as arguably their greatest performance of the professional era.
France had been chasing a Grand Slam and scored six tries and 40 points of their own in what proved to be an all-time classic contest.
By picking up a bonus point even in defeat, it is Les Bleus who ultimately head into the final weekend still top of the table via their superior points difference.
Scotland now need to beat Ireland, who could also still win the title, in Dublin, whilst hoping that England can do them a favour against the French in Paris.
Townsend and Sione Tuipulotu share a hug after the captain collected the Auld Alliance Trophy
Pierre Schoeman hails Ben White after the scrum-half scored Scotland’s fourth try
Hailing the best performance and result of his tenure, Townsend said: ‘It was a brilliant day for our supporters. Not just the rugby we played, but the mindset to keep attacking, a lot of teams would sit on that lead against France.
‘I think in the second half, in that third quarter of the game just after half-time, that was another step up. I think we went for the jugular.
‘I’ll let you guys decide that [whether it was the best win of his tenure]. It was a very good day. But it’s just round four of the tournament. It’s not a standalone game. There have been other wins in the past, in Paris, in Cardiff, at Twickenham, that meant a lot.
‘This is very significant. But just now it’s round four and it gives us a chance in round five. I think we probably wouldn’t have thought we’d be in this position after the first match [losing to Italy in Rome].
‘To get bonus points against some quality teams. England and France were probably in the top three in the world coming into this tournament. But we have taken maximum points from those games, which is great, and it gives us an opportunity.
‘It’s not all in our hands because France will play after us. We’ll just make sure we target the Ireland game and do all we can to win and see what happens after.’
Scotland were actually set to go top of the table, only for France to seize the advantage with a late burst of four tries in the final 15 minutes. But, nonetheless, Scotland still go into the final weekend with a chance to win the championship for the first time in the Six Nations era.
Asked about how aware the coaches and players were to try and stop France from taking the bonus point, Townsend said: ‘We got the message on.
‘Pete Horne [assistant coach] who runs messages said Sione already talked about it.
‘I think it was more difficult just with the changes we’d made and the injuries we’d picked up, but I was really proud of that.
‘The effort to try and stop them getting that bonus point and it means we’re equal points with France. Someone’s going to have to do something next week if we both win. It’s who gets a bonus point out of that.’
Townsend has never beaten Ireland in 11 attempts. On the prospect of next week’s match in Dublin, he said: ‘They’ve won three in a row so they’ll be full of confidence.
Scotland’s Kyle Steyn (right) runs in to score his side’s second try at Murrayfield
‘They’ve got some outstanding individuals who have started for the Lions. They’ve played really well against us.
‘They seem to raise their game against us. I know sometimes we’ve not played as well but they’ve definitely played some of their best rugby against us.
‘We’ll need a huge effort. I think you will see next week that there’s going to be some fatigued teams.
‘If you play five test matches in six weeks the game will open up. Let’s hope it does open up. It’s been a great championship so far.
‘I think that suits our game. If it’s a tight game we’ll have to make sure our defence and what our forwards are doing is at the top level.’
The only negative from Scotland’s point of view were the injuries picked up by Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings.
Brown is likely to be ruled out of the Ireland match, Cummings could be a doubt, whilst Jones and Steyn should be fit.
