In a nail-biting Six Nations Championship that literally went down to the final kick, Scotland held their own against some of the world’s best, but in the end finished third despite a huge degree of expectation.
From the disastrous start in the Rome rain, Scotland’s tournament looked to be over before it even started but after a dominant Calcutta Cup display, a tenacious triumph in Wales and a bonkers try-scoring exhibition against France, Gregor Townsend’s men gave themselves a chance of glory going in the last game, where they inevitably fell short against Ireland.
A win against eventual champions France was perhaps the highlight of the competition, but the Ireland humbling, not for the first time, raised doubts about how high this team’s ceiling actually is. After three wins and two defeats, here’s how we rated Scotland’s most used XV in the competition as well as the Coach:
1. Pierre Schoeman - 6
After a very ropey start against Italy, the South African-born battering ram was back to his best against the French, where he scored his seventh try for his country. Not a vintage campaign but as always, he put in the hard yards. | Getty Images
2. George Turner - 7
A shaky start for the hooker as he was sin binned in Rome, but he made up for it with two superb displays against France and England. Unlucky to receive an early head knock against Ireland to cut his match short. He was the only hooker in the competition to boast a 100% lineout record. | Getty Images
3. Zander Fagerson - 5
The veteran prop wasn't at his best and struggled in the scrum over the five games, with ill-discipline beginning to creep in as well. However with 79 caps to his name, he remains a cornerstone of the Scotland pack, who let's not forget, has been struggling with injuries for the best part of a year. | SNS Group / SRU
4. Scott Cummings - 7
A huge miss against Ireland after three colossal performances. A lighthouse in the lineout and always there or thereabouts around the breakdown. Proved why he is a British and Irish Lion. | SNS Group / SRU