Scotland look to improve on fourth in the 2026 Six Nations as head coach Gregor Townsend attempts to secure his job in the hotseat.
The Scots defeated just the bottom sides, Italy and Wales, in their last competition, failing to score four tries against any of the top European sides.
The Scots struggled towards the end of 2025, suffering capitulations and late defeats interrupted by walkover victories that proved little.
The Scots’ formsheet
Scotland finished fourth in the 2025 Six Nations, picking up wins over Italy and Wales.
The Scots failed to win try bonus points against the top three squads, gaining just one point outside the ties against the bottom two sides.
Even more worryingly, Wales pushed Scotland within a try in round four to 35-29 at Murrayfield.
A tour of the Pacific southern hemisphere restarted international rugby in July, a changed development squad passing the Maori All-Blacks 29-26 in Whangarei, New Zealand.
A stronger side returned to face Fiji in Suva, where Scotland suffered a bruising 29-14 loss, struggling to just two scores.
Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham was sent off after two yellow cards for an off-the-ball tackle and a try-stopping offside knock-on.
The Scots responded with a 41-12 win over much weaker Samoan opposition in Auckland, scoring seven times.
The autumn series began with an 85-0 walkover of the USA, a record win at home.
New Zealand came next, and Scotland were level with seven minutes left until Damian McKenzie scored a try and kicked a penalty to win 25-17.
Scotland then collapsed from 21-0 up with 25 minutes left to lose 33-24 to Argentina as Los Pumas scored five tries in quick succession.
A 56-0 demolition of Tonga ended the window. However, this result was not driven by a strong Scotland, but more by an ill-disciplined Tongan squad.
The run of poor results raised serious questions about Gregor Townsend’s future as Scotland head coach, compounded by news of his consultancy role at English Premeirship side Newcastle Red Bulls.
His part-time role was played down by the Scottish Rugby Union and Townsend, however became a point of contention after the shock sacking of Steve Diamond from Red Bulls.
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Scotland’s schedule
Round 1: Italy vs Scotland – Stadio Olimpico, Rome; February 7 (14:10 GMT on BBC)
Round 2: Scotland vs England – Murrayfield, Edinburgh; February 14 (16:40 GMT on ITV)
Round 3: Wales vs Scotland – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; February 21 (16:40 GMT on BBC and S4C)
Round 4: Scotland vs France – Murrayfield, Edinburgh; March 7 (14:10 GMT on BBC)
Round 5: Ireland vs Scotland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin; March 14 (14:10 GMT on ITV)
Scotland’s Six Nations campaign begins with a visit to Rome against an Italian side that poses a threat.
Italy earned a 26-19 win over Australia in Udine in the November internationals and also defeated Scotland 31-29 in Rome in 2024.
Scotland host England in Edinburgh next, fighting over the famous Calcutta Cup.
The border clash has been the tie of the tournament for the last few competitions, ever since a blow-for-blow 38-38 draw at Twickenham in 2019.
England last defeated Scotland at Murrayfield in 2020, before Scotland won and retained the cup four consecutive times within ten points on each occasion.
England are the holders into 2026 after sneaking by the Scots 16-15 last February.
Cardiff calls to end the first block, where Scotland edged to a one-point victory 27-26 in 2024, in a tie where Scotland must-win to avoid failure this campaign.
Two of the three contenders for the crown conclude the fixtures, hosting France and travelling to Dublin, looking to break an 11-game losing streak.
The last meeting between Scotland and France in Edinburgh was overshadowed by a controversial decision to deny a last-gasp try for the hosts, losing 20-16.
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