REACTION | Gregor Townsend reflects on Scotland’s opening Six Nations win

2 Feb 2019

Scotland’s Head Coach Gregor Townsend reflects on his side's first match in this year’s 2019 Guinness Six Nations Championship with a 33-20 win over Italy at BT Murrayfield.

Gregor Townsend said, “To get the bonus point was a very good start to the Championship.

“I think the way we adjusted things after half-time was great to see, we felt that we had done a lot of good things in the first 10 minutes of the second half but didn’t get the reward.

“We didn’t really play with the energy we know we’re capable of in the second quarter, but we showed it in the third quarter.

“The final quarter, yes, was disappointing but there were other circumstances there, with the yellow card and a few changes that we made with an eye on next week with the guys carrying a couple of injuries.

“It was disappointing, also, that we didn’t get that try for Stuart Hogg, it looked a world class try and it’s one of our players that is pushed off the ball, but we will have to improve, Ireland are going to run the ball whenever we aren’t in place defensively and will put pressure on us for 80 minutes.

“Those last 15 minutes for us were a reminder that if we drop our focus at all then we’ll pay the price.

“Blair took his tries really well and has been playing regularly at full-back and he’s a purpose player in our squad and showed that today, with a lot of good finishing.”

Scotland now prepare for their next fixture against Ireland at BT Murrayfield next Saturday (2.15pm kick off).

RELATED

New dining experiences add a fitting tribute to 100 years of Murrayfield 17 December 2025 Appointments Scottish Rugby names Sione Fukofuka as Scotland Women Head Coach 17 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Glasgow Warriors team named for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Area Development Greenock Wanderers RFC Secures Royal London Funding 16 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Stage set for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Scotland A Scotland A to face Italy XV in February 16 December 2025 Appointments Meet Alex Ross: Scottish Rugby Head of Athletic Performance & Sports Science 15 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Castres power past young Edinburgh side 15 December 2025 Glasgow Warriors Men Match Report: Glasgow Warriors 28-21 Stade Toulousain 13 December 2025 Cup & Competitions Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Final Match Report: Stirling County 39–12 Watsonian FC 13 December 2025 Cup & Competitions Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Final Preview: Stirling County v Watsonians 13 December 2025 Cup & Competitions National Youth Cup Finals Preview 12 December 2025 Scotland Men U20 Report: Wales U20 43-28 Scotland U20 12 December 2025 Cup & Competitions Boys Schools Cup Final – New Date! 12 December 2025 Glasgow Warriors Men Dobie starts for Toulouse clash 12 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Currie returns for Castres clash 12 December 2025 Cup & Competitions National Youth Cup Finals 2025 12 December 2025 Scotland Men U20 Scotland U20 team to face Wales named 12 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Blyth-Lafferty commits to Edinburgh until 2028 11 December 2025 Glasgow Warriors Men Sutherland commits to Glasgow Warriors 10 December 2025