Scotland Six Nations lowdown: A squad primed for success despite brutal injuries and why they will tear England apart ...again!
Scotland Six Nations lowdown: A squad primed for success despite brutal injuries and why they will tear England apart ...again!
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The greatest show in rugby kicks off this weekend and, as ever, debate is already raging over who will be fighting it out for the Six Nations title come the final weekend. Mail Sport put our expert panel to the test... but did former Scotland captains ANDY NICOL and JASON WHITE, or our Deputy Chief Sports Writer CALUM CROWE predict Scotland will finally break their duck? Or are Gregor Townsend’s injury problems just too severe to mount a challenge?.
![[Townsend still has some reasons for cheer, though, with a talented back division to call on]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/17/94647013-14338981-image-a-20_1738171273203.jpg)
What do you expect from Scotland and what will success look like?. Andy Nicol: I was feeling very confident about two weeks ago that Scotland could do something special in this Six Nations. Then Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings got injured. Both are so critical to Scotland’s improvement over the last year or so. It was devastating news and might mean Scotland’s chances of real success is limited now.
![[Stafford McDowall appears to the front-runner to replace Tuipulotu at centre against Italy]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/17/94646777-14338981-image-a-21_1738171289795.jpg)
For me, success would be going into the final weekend against France in the hunt for the championship. This has got tougher with the injuries to these key players. Jason White: We need to see the evolution and improvement of the team that translates to being in a position to challenge for the title in the last round of fixtures.
![[Andy Farrell's absence to take charge of the Lions will be hugely significant]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/17/94647711-14338981-image-a-22_1738172344799.jpg)
Success is winning our three homes games and then at least one of the two away games. We have to find a way to navigate through without Sione especially over the first two games and get some momentum going. I would also regard our largest representation on the Lions tour as the result of a successful tournament.
![[According to our panel, Scotland should be confident of retaining the Calcutta Cup]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/17/94647673-14338981-According_to_our_panel_Scotland_should_be_confident_of_retaining-m-1_1738173592763.jpg)
