"Over to the players" - Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend wants Six Nations reaction after disappointing autumn

Now in his tenth year as head coach, Townsend knows the pressure and opportunity that comes with the championship, particularly after a mixed autumn that ended in frustration.

Scotland go into this year’s Six Nations as outsiders, but with a squad that on paper has the quality to trouble anyone on their day. Townsend has never shied away from setting high standards, and that has not changed despite the setbacks of recent months.

"We'll let others decide success. Every coach here and all the playing group, you're here for a reason. You're here to be in the mix, not just be in the mix but win the title, win every game ahead of you, so nothing changes in that regard."

That mindset will be tested early in Rome, where Scotland will be expected to start strongly against an improving Italy side. The opening fixture also represents a chance to reset after a disappointing autumn campaign, which raised uncomfortable questions about the team’s ability to manage momentum in big Test matches.

The low point came against Argentina at Murrayfield. In stark contrast to a narrow and encouraging loss to New Zealand the previous week, Scotland looked in control as they raced into a 21-0 lead early in the second half. What followed was a calamitous collapse. Four tries in 18 minutes swung the contest dramatically, and Argentina eventually claimed a historic win in Edinburgh, their first there since 2009.

Townsend has been clear that the pain of that defeat has driven some honest reflection.

"There was a few things. I think we need to have a process of recognising when teams are starting to gain momentum and how we deal with it and get back to what was working for us or what is needed now. Making sure everyone's aligned on that process, and there's honest conversations, they can be good or bad but the ability to have them, we've definitely moved on and we probably haven't felt a pain like we did when you're 21-0 up and playing well and on the try-line to go 28-0 up, there's a lot going right in your game.

"It's even more painful when you don't win and what we learned from that game is we have to put that into place. And that's over to the players."

The Argentina defeat has not been forgotten, but Townsend believes it sits within a wider trend in the modern game.

"We talk about what resulted from the Argentina game, those meetings that came out in camp, what it's led to as well. I see a big change in the game too, we were 21-0 up and lost the game. Two weeks later Toulouse were 21-0 up against Glasgow and lost the game and there's a trend in the game right now, I do believe it's because teams are able to attack at a high level, winning the ball back with your kicking game helps that too."

Crucially, Townsend sees value in the timing of that setback.

"I'm an optimist. At the time, obviously, it was not nice to go through but if it makes us stronger for the Six Nations, then it's going to be worth it."

After finishing fourth last year with two wins and three defeats, Scotland will be determined to show progress this year and prove the naysayers wrong.