Hastings – Faith in game plan borne out

“It was really pleasing for the team,” said Hastings, when speaking after the match.

“We’ve been a bit stop start this campaign, and it was frustrating, but we got a good tough win over in Italy and today you saw us in full flight, which was really enjoyable.

“We had a good game plan which we all felt really strongly about.

“We took it to them and stopped them starting well – which they had done in all the previous games.

“Then I think we showed our control really well in that second-half, which again, was really pleasing for us.”

It was Hastings’ fourth consecutive start of the championship – his 20th cap all told – in which he kicked 13 of the team’s 28-points in an altogether assured performance – the perfect tonic for time spent dwelling on what he felt was a frustrating outing against Italy in the previous round.

“I was disappointed with the Italy game,” he explained.

“Personally, I think I was pretty inconsistent there, which was disappointing. I had time to let that stew, and then came out [against France] and looked to do the simple things in my job, and I think I did that.

“I’ve spoken before about how I tend to enjoy that pressure. I tend to go half decent when it’s on. A lot of it was self-inflected in the Italy game but I’m really pleased to come through that today [against France].

“It’s obviously very pleasing. We’ve had a game plan and we’ve executed it really well.”

Hastings wasn’t the only one to enjoy the Scotland performance and result, with his parents spotted on the big screen sharing a kiss moments after he extended Scotland’s lead from the kicking tee, prompting a in-jest gag reflex that caused something of a social media stir.

“Hopefully that’ll be the last of that. I was trying to send them a message. I don’t want them necking on national telly!

“No look, it’s lovely having my parents here, it means a lot to them as well.

“My mum is my number one fan and both my parents and my sister were in the stand watching, which was good.”

Scotland face Wales in five days’ time, with the short turnaround between matches meaning the coaches will take care to manage the players’ mental and physical training load.

Even less time is available to celebrate a fine win, with the team already turning their attention to Cardiff for the championship finale.

“We’ve got two good wins now and will look to build on that momentum in the Wales game next week,” he added.

“Steve [Tandy, Scotland Defence Coach] has come in and has been brilliant.

“He’s given us a new lease of life there and, speaking to a few of the boys, we almost enjoy defending whereas maybe we didn’t used to.

‘It [defence] is a big strength of ours and we’re not afraid to put the ball deep and let teams have a crack at us, so it should be interesting.”