Scotland's men’s rugby team experienced another Six Nations championship filled with highs and lows, culminating in their fourth-place finish after only two wins from five matches. Despite the lackluster overall results, players and coaches expressed optimism about the future and their growth as athletes, particularly coach Gregor Townsend, who remains at the helm.
Matt Fagerson, who has been pivotal to Scotland's performance over the years, referred to the Six Nations campaign as "positive" from his personal perspective, even though he lost his starting spot midway through the tournament. After starting the opening two games against Italy and Ireland, Fagerson was relegated to the bench, allowing Jamie Ritchie to shine with outstanding performances against England and Wales. Fagerson did return to the lineup for the team's defeat to France, where he reminded everyone of his undeniable quality.
“I think it’s definitely a positive,” Fagerson stated about his campaign. He added, “Scotland’s back-row depth is incredible, with guys like Josh Bayliss and Andy Christie elevational pressure on playing time. There are some really talented players pushing to start.”
Scotland's overall record this year wasn't quite as uplifting. The team won only two games during the Six Nations, finishing fourth—an outcome disappointing for fans and critics alike. Key factors included narrow losses, particularly their one-point setback against England, which proved to be pivotal. Scotland's inability to overcome Ireland remains another hurdle, as they now continue their search for consistent performance.
Reflecting on the campaign, Fagerson emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences. “We’ve really progressed and developed as a team throughout the campaign,” he asserted. He admitted, though, there were small margins between victory and defeat, citing their narrow loss to England, where they had opportunities to score but failed to capitalize effectively.
“Look, luck is definitely one thing but the biggest thing we've tried to do this campaign is take luck out of it and take the referee out of it,” Fagerson added, also praising the officiated performance of referee Matt Carley during the match against France.
The reactions from Scotland’s coaching staff were mixed, with Townsend committing his future to the team as he faces increasing scrutiny. Despite Scotland’s mediocre record over his tenure, he maintains faith in the development of the squad and noted the emergence of younger players showing promise.
Townsend, who has held the head coach position since 2017, has seen Scotland’s performances fluctuates over the past few years but remains buoyed by glimpses of potential observed during the championship. “I’ve seen us push ourselves physically more this season, and the young players stepping up is encouraging,” he offered during post-match talks.
Some have questioned whether Townsend is still the right man for the job. Former Scotland captain Andy Nicol expressed confidence. “I think he is. Scotland have improved under Gregor. The trouble is so have all the other countries apart from Wales,” Nicol stated, adding the injuries suffered during the championship weighed heavily on the team's capabilities.
Meanwhile, fellow former captain Jason White lauded the attacking gameplay brought by Townsend's tactics. “There are many positives around how we are playing as a nation and our attacking intent. Gregor deserves credit for the beautiful game we see more often,” White pointed out, acknowledging frustration among fans about the team's inability to convert more opportunities.
Despite the disappointing campaign, the Scots now set their eyes on their upcoming domestic fixtures and future international competitions with renewed determination. Fagerson will return to play with the Glasgow Warriors, preparing for their clash against Munster, where he looks to continue showcasing his skills. His brother, Zander, who played every minute of the Six Nations match against France on March 15, 2025, remains another source of pride for Matt.
“Look, he’s a bit of a physical freak,” Matt explained, proud of his brother’s resilience and passion for the game. “He really sets the bar in training and out there on the pitch.”
The Six Nations campaign wrapped up with France being crowned champions after their decisive win over Scotland, underscoring the round of mixed emotions for the Scottish team and its supporters. With hopes of capitalizing on the lessons learned from this season, Scotland's players and fans alike are eager to see how they can overturn their fortunes moving forward.
With the next test matches on the horizon, Scotland's rugby squad knows they have plenty of work to do, but the pathway to improvement seems clear. The message from Fagerson was loud and clear: whatever role you play, it’s about what you can bring to the team—an ethos likely to shape their preparations for the future.
