Scotland Rugby

Scotland will look to build on their opening round win over Ireland in the 2017 Six Nations on Sunday, but they face a sizeable obstacle in the form of France, whom they'll play in Paris.

The Scots kicked off this year's competition in style as they beat the Irish 27-22 at Murrayfield to launch their campaign with a win.

France, meanwhile, slipped to a narrow 19-16 defeat at the hands of England, who came from behind to win late on.

The pair will go head-to-head at the Stade de France. Read on for a preview of the clash, but first here is the viewing information you need to catch the action:

Date: Sunday, February 12

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET

TV: BBC One

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer 

Scotland were excellent on Saturday as they stunned Ireland with an early brace of tries from Stuart Hogg and another from Alex Dunbar to give them a commanding 21-8 half-time lead.

After the break, their defensive qualities shone through as they successfully held off a spirited fightback to claim the victory.

Here's a look at the highlights:

Rugby journalist Murray Kinsella praised their impressive display:

Enjoyable to see Scotland backing up their pre-match chat. They've been ultra-aggressive and work rate is off the charts. #SCOvIRE

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 4, 2017

Their work rate was indeed exceptional—according to the Six Nations' official website, Scotland made 242 tackles against Ireland, 27 of which were won by the outstanding Jonny Gray, who also made the most carries in the team with 14.

Captain Greig Laidlaw as reliable as ever from the tee, scoring 12 points from a possible 12 with three conversions and two penalties.

Scotland beat France at Murrayfield in the Six Nations last year but have not won in Paris since 1999. Per BBC Sport, Laidlaw is well aware of the effort it will take to win this time around:

It is a long time ago since we won there but we understand there is a reason for that.

France are a good team and it is a hard place to win. We are under no illusions this week—we need to be on top form to get something out of the game.

We'll need accuracy and we need to be physical and aggressive because the French are big men. But we need to be subtle and clever in our attack.

Indeed, if Scotland aren't able to replicate the kind of performance they demonstrated against Ireland, France will almost certainly punish them.

Rugby World's Paul Williams hailed France's ability to compete with England last weekend, while journalist Simon Thomas believes they were good enough to have won:

Great to see a competitive France.

The competition requires and deserves it.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 4, 2017

That was a missed opportunity for France. Better team overall. Picamoles, Serin, Gourdon, Spedding and Slimani excellent.

— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) February 4, 2017

France have now lost their last four Six Nations matches stretching back to last year—including their defeat to Scotland—but they've notably improved under Guy Noves in recent months.

Prior to their strong display against England, they also thrashed Samoa 52-8 in the Autumn Internationals last year and only narrowly lost 25-23 to Australia and 24-19 to New Zealand. 

Despite their setback last weekend, Les Bleus could be set to make their first serious challenge for the Six Nations in years.

Scotland will need to produce the same herculean effort that beat Ireland to get something out of the match—if they can, it's set to be a truly thrilling encounter.

Scotland sealed a historic 27-22 win against Ireland on Saturday to kickstart their 2017 Six Nations championship in promising fashion and stake an early claim on this year's crown.

Full-back Stuart Hogg went over twice in the opening quarter of the match before Alex Dunbar added a third, but Keith Earls' 26th-minute reply just about kept the visitors in the fixture at the break.

Ireland looked like a different team after the restart and scored tries through Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson, who added two conversions and a penalty to his tally, albeit for only a losing bonus point in the end.

Broadcaster Ian Stafford heaped praise on two-try man-of-the-match hero Hogg, although lock Jonny Gray also caught attention for his display in the pack:

Been lauding MOM Stuart Hogg but take a bow Jonny Gray. 25 tackles. Lions have many riches in 2nd row. What a win for Scotland. Serious team

— Ian Stafford 💙 (@IanStaffs) February 4, 2017

Hogg scored the first try of the 2017 championship just nine minutes after kick-off at Murrayfield, where the British and Irish Lion—almost a shoo-in for this year's tour—scythed his way into the far-right corner of the field.

Scotland played their phases with patience and a calm demeanour to unearth an overlap on the right, and the Glasgow Warriors No. 15 capitalised to glide over for a relatively simple finish:

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt might have put that early setback down to nerves in an intimidating setting, but Scotland's backs once again unlocked the opposition's back line a little more than 10 minutes later as their Irish counterparts fell asleep.

Earls' quick rush up on Ireland's right wing was mistimed, and an onrushing Hogg once again took advantage, this time selling his dummy down the left flank before sizzling in for a superb solo try:

Despite the hosts scoring an early brace, Ireland did show some promise at the set piece, and it was after keeping the ball close with a series of rucks that the Boys in Green finally unlocked the opponent's defence.

Full-back Simon Zebo's floated miss pass was almost intercepted on its way to Earls, but the winger collected on the left wing before overcoming the TMO's deliberations to get Ireland on the board, as shown by RTE Sport:

Ireland get a much-needed try as Earls squeezes over. https://t.co/xfYt0q8HLB pic.twitter.com/knEmHC4cAN

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 4, 2017

That score reduced Ireland's deficit to 14-5 as fly-half Jackson failed to add the conversion—something Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw managed for both their tries—although it wasn't long before the gulf was extended again.

Just as it seemed the Irish were gaining a foothold in the meeting, centre Dunbar floated through for the easiest score he could have hoped for, joining a lineout at short range before barging his way through a lax defence.

Again, Laidlaw was on hand to add the extras and increase Scotland's cushion before a Jackson penalty close to the half-time whistle painted the scoreline at 21-8 going in at the break. 

Misfortune struck early for Scotland after returning to the field as fly-half Finn Russell required a head injury assessment (HIA) in the 45th minute, temporarily replaced by Edinburgh No. 10 Duncan Weir.

It was Scotland who claimed the fast start in the first period at Murrayfield, but Henderson's bulldoze over following a bout of sustained pressure following the restart saw Ireland grab the first score of the second half:

Russell made his way back on to the field with the scoreline poised at 21-15, and a break from scrum-half Conor Murray threatened to put the home side behind before Jamie Heaslip's pass was intercepted at the last gasp.

But with 17 minutes left on the clock, Ireland finally took a lead for the first time in the match after Jackson's angled run notched a try and conversion that pushed his side ahead 22-21.

BBC Scotland's Bryn Palmer detailed Scotland's fall from grace:

What have @Scotlandteam got left? Paddy Jackson's try & con transforms 21-5 deficit into 22-21 lead for @IrishRugby https://t.co/oJ985VGN1Y

— Bryn Palmer (@ABCBrynPalmer) February 4, 2017

An end-to-end meeting went through something of a lull before Laidlaw reclaimed a two-point advantage on Scotland's behalf, converting a routine penalty from out on the right after Ireland failed to roll away at the breakdown.

Scotland showed bravery in going for the corner from a late penalty, and the decision paid dividends as the hosts were awarded another penalty with a minute left, this time kicking to put the finishing touches on a 27-22 victory.

The Scots travel to face France in Paris next Sunday after Ireland take on Italy in Rome on Saturday, perhaps the ideal opportunity for Schmidt's side to continue their recovery and gain what seems like much-needed confidence.

Cotter will step down from the Scotland head coach role this summer, with Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend set to replace him, but Saturday's result holds some promise for the New Zealander exiting the position on a high.

Post-Match Reaction

After several years of unsuccessful attempts against compatriot Schmidt, New Zealand native Cotter notched a long-awaited win over his Ireland counterpart on Saturday in tense circumstance.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Cotter admitted a sense of relief at taking four points from such a difficult clash before admitting his relationship with Schmidt wouldn't be damaged as a result:

"These players are finding ways to win games now - we dominated the first half and they largely dominated second but we held our composure at the end. I might have a quiet beer with with my old friend Joe Schmidt [they coached together at Clermont] having finally gotten one over on him." 

The four points were so close to being Ireland's, too, after it seemed as though they were gathering speed near the game's climax, a shift that Schmidt said made the loss that much harder to take, via RTE:

Joe Schmidt said Ireland had guilt-edge chances to win the game: "It's particularly tough to take." pic.twitter.com/WFN6Bk03p8

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 4, 2017

Ireland's slim lead was eventually cut down as it was Scotland who demonstrated more mental composure for once in such a setting, and Cotter suggested even he thought the momentum might have gone against his men:

"When there was one point in it i think everyone thought it would be the same old story but we managed to claw our way back in. It was a great win and validates the work they have been doing in training."

Scotland finished fourth in the 2016 Six Nations, continuing their gradual improvement under Kiwi coach Vern Cotter. Given the building process Cotter is overseeing, there will not be many personnel changes over the next year, but in this article, Bleacher Report analyses two players who will probably not feature in 2017.

One is a seasoned campaigner too old to retain his place. The other is a forward often a leading player for Scotland, but whose lack of recent form and competition for places at club level threaten to cost him his place at the forefront of Vern Cotter’s plans.

Sean Lamont

Sean Lamont, 35, and a veteran of 104 caps for Scotland has probably played his last Six Nations game. The winger, who can also play at centre, has scored six tries in 45 Six Nations matches, but with Scotland on the up, we should not expect there to be a place for Lamont in Cotter’s 2017 Scotland squad unless there is a serious injury crisis in the back line.

Lamont has had an inconsistent career. He broke onto the international scene in the mid-2000s and had a big impact in the previous Scotland win against France, scoring two tries in a 20-16 triumph in 2006.

@hugosouthwell @sflamont @danparks10 last @Scotlandteam win 10yrs ago, what a win today very exciting! pic.twitter.com/j96zf6f1oI

— Freddie Southwell (@WildSeasoning) March 13, 2016

Lamont’s powerful running was one of Scotland’s key weapons then, but it is a measure of his struggles to regularly impact matches Lamont was never called up for with the British and Irish Lions. A late developer, in 2005 he was only six months into his international career, in 2009 he was out of form and by 2013 Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg were ahead of him in Scotland and the Lions’ thinking.

It is very hard to evaluate Lamont’s career with Scotland. He is in the test centurions' elite club, and is a reliable, whole-hearted figure. In fact, only Chris Paterson has more caps for Scotland (109).

Overall, though, there is a strong sense of disappointment. One of Scotland’s shining lights in the mid-noughties will end his career as a player opposition teams will hardly give a second thought to in their preparations.

As per the BBC, ahead of Scotland’s victory over France this year at Murrayfield, Lamont insisted he would never retire from Scotland duty: “I'll keep going. I will become surplus to requirements rather than retire.”

But with players such as Tim Visser, Tommy Seymour and of course Stuart Hogg ahead of Lamont in the pecking order for the Scotland back-three, as well as Duncan Taylor and Mark Bennett in the centre, Paterson is likely to remain ahead of Lamont as Scotland’s most capped player.

David Denton

David Denton was one of Scotland’s best players in their 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia. The Independent gave the back-rower 9/10 and noted of Denton:

"The man who least deserved to end up on the losing side. In a hugely attacking match, Denton came out on top with the most metres made as well as clean breaks. Brilliant with the ball and a joy to watch when at his best."

It would appear then to be something of a surprise to suggest Denton may not feature for Scotland in the 2017 Six Nations.

The reality is, Denton has suffered a bit of a post-World Cup hangover. Gone for example are the big carries we saw in the autumn. Playing across the back row at club level with Bath hasn’t helped. Denton is, without question, a No. 8.

Denton’s move to Bath seems to be an odd one given Wales and British and Irish Lions No. 8 Taulupe Faletau's arrival next season.

With South African open-side flanker Francois Louw the first name on the Bath teamsheet, and the workaholic Matt Garvey providing the graft on the blind side, Faletau’s arrival will probably crowd Denton out of the starting XV. This could have serious repercussions for his Scotland place.

What is more, Cotter’s Scotland are favouring two opensides, John Barclay and Josh Strauss, in the back row, and with locks Johnnie and Richie Gray providing so much ball-carrying threat, Vern Cotter may opt for Strauss’ workmanship at No. 8 if Denton’s form does not demand selection.

Denton, then, has a job on his hands to feature in Scotland’s starting XV in the 2017 Six Nations.

All stats courtesy of ESPN Scrum.

Scotland’s 20-36 victory in Rome against Italy last Saturday was their first in the 2016 RBS Six Nations. But for a team with a world-class coach in Vern Cotter—and one that was moments and a controversial refereeing decision away from a Rugby World Cup semi-final in 2015—Scotland are not fulfilling their potential.

The Scots’ problem so far this Six Nations is straightforward: inconsistency.

Scotland lost their opening Six Nations fixture 9-15 against England, and the most disappointing part of the result for the Scotland fans was that they were no worse than England except for the cutting edge in the final stages of attack.

RBS Six Nations Matchcentre stats show that Scotland dominated all of the key indicators other than turnovers and tries. Poor weather conditions at Murrayfield stifled Scotland’s play, but England still managed two tries.

Cotter’s post-match comments only cemented the what-if feeling that has been around Scottish rugby for a decade. As per Iain Morrison of the Scotsman, the stoical Kiwi mused:

I think there was progress but we are frustrated and not particularly happy with our performance. We still need to be focused and show total concentration. Games at this level are tight affairs. We have to take it on the chin.

We have ways to get about the park and put teams under pressure. We managed to do that at times but we did not hold the pressure on for long enough.

It is disappointing not to score a try. There is more frustration than anything else because I know there is so much more that can come out of this side.

Scotland were much improved under the roof in Cardiff, offering significantly more in attack on Matchday 2, despite losing to Wales 27-23. But the Wales match also showcased Scotland’s inconsistency.

Scotland rugby annoys me so much we have a great team just come up short all the time

— Kyle Dean (@KyleDean_) February 13, 2016

In particular, Finn Russell’s unpredictability from the key decision-making position of fly-half undergirds many of the team’s problems. A creative pivot one day, Russell is a liability the next.

Still, the Scotsman’s match report summed up an encouraging but fruitless performance at the Principality Stadium:

Scotland’s afternoon turned to ashes inside the space of just four minutes. It was cruel finale for the visitors but no one claims that elite sport has a heart.

The Scots will be wondering what they might have achieved had they produced this performance against England.

Similarly, after the Wales match, the BBC’s Tom English concluded: "This team is trapped in no-man's land. They're stuck in a place between the pitiful dog-days of old and a proper new dawn. They can see the light, but they just can't reach it. And it's excruciating."

Scotland got their much-needed win in Rome on Matchday 3 but were very reliant on Italy’s failings. The Azzurri scrum in particular is a lamentable imitation of its traditional strength, and Scotland twice let Italy back into the match after they gained a margin of comfort.

For instance, with five minutes remaining and Scotland leading 29-20, WP Nel’s needless yellow card (Scotland’s second of the second half) for a deliberate knock-on provided Italy with an opportunity that was unnecessarily conceded. As it was, an Italian handling error saved Scotland from a tough end to the match.

But then, with three minutes to go, Scotland gave a reminder of their talents (and inconsistency) with a Tommy Seymour try created by a delightful one-handed pass from Stuart Hogg.

Scotland should be doing much better than this. In Vern Cotter, they have one of the premier coaches in the world. The straight-talking New Zealander won the Top 14 with Clermont Auvergne as head coach and two Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders as forwards coach.

Scotland’s performance at last year’s World Cup showed what the team can do, but to challenge for titles, they need to back up good displays with positive results. Otherwise, despite flurries of excitement, they will continue to languish towards the bottom of the Six Nations table.

Scotland have lost their opening two matches of the 2016 RBS Six Nations, but to arrest their slump, they will need Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell to be at their best. It is no overstatement to say they are crucial for Scotland for the rest of the championship.

Scotland's revival under coach Vern Cotter has been aided by the residency qualification of prop WP Nel and John Hardie, eligible through his Scottish grandmother, but the platform the pack provides is never enough unless half-backs Laidlaw and Russell tick.

As the Scotsman's Duncan Smith noted during the 2015 Rugby World Cup after Scotland had triumphed impressively over Japan:

The burgeoning partnership of Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell could be the one that drives Scotland on to the long-awaited sunlit uplands.

Russell’s have-a-go mindset is the breath of fresh air we have been crying out for and there are growing signs that his gallusness is nicely complemented by the coolness of the “old head” inside him.

Laidlaw, as captain of Scotland and the team's goalkicker, relishes responsibility. The heartbeat of the team is very reliable off the tee and against Wales last week showed an ingredient that has been missing of late from his game: bursts from the base of the ruck.

The scrum-half made two mini-breaks in the lead-up to Tommy Seymour's try that got Scotland on the front foot and the Welsh defence scrambling.

Scotland need to see more of that from Laidlaw. Occupying the defence's vision provides more time for Russell outside him at fly-half, and it was that extra moment of breathing space that allowed Russell to deliver the pinpoint kick for Seymour's score (see video above).

Laidlaw's understudy, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, is a more natural runner but is quite clearly the No. 2 scrum-half behind the captain and kicker.

Russell is a talented but inconsistent No. 10. For Seymour's try, he spotted winger Tom James slightly out of position and delivered his kick as late as possible to keep the defence guessing.

Russell has his moments. Under pressure gathering a Welsh kick, he skilfully stepped athletic flanker Justin Tipuric with a smart dummy when Scotland were under pressure inside their own 22.

But Russell is far from the finished article. All fly-halves make mistakes with their kicks, but kicking straight down Jonathan Davies' throat when Scotland had precious turnover ball suggests Russell hasn't yet realised the premium attacking opportunities that possession changes provide in international rugby.

Another case of muddled thinking was when he tried to kick downfield when surrounded by Welsh players. Inevitably, the kick was charged down, and in truth it was never on.

Scotland, via the scrummaging of Nel, Ross Ford and Alasdair Dickinson, the athleticism of the Gray brothers and the breakdown work of Hardie and John Barclay, have a solid and potentially imposing starting forward pack. If David Denton can rediscover his best form, they will also have a fine ball carrier from the back row.

Greig Laidlaw: "We're getting close. There were so many good things and we showed we can score tries"

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 13, 2016

But even if the Scotland pack is gaining the upper hand, Laidlaw and Russell, the key decision-makers at 9 and 10, are crucial for the rest of the Six Nations.

When they play well, Mark Bennett sees plenty of ball in the centre to get Scotland across the gainline, and Stuart Hogg, Scotland's finest individual talent, can pick strong running lines with defences worried about Laidlaw and Russell.

Laidlaw and Russell, then, are crucial for Scotland for the rest of the 2016 RBS Six Nations.

Scotland meet Australia in the weekend's last Rugby World Cup 2015 quarter-final, with the weight of missing players, Wallaby excellence and history loaded against them.

They have lost two key men to questionable disciplinary decisions and will run into an Australian outfit oozing confidence after winning the toughest pool in the tournament's history.

Michael Cheika's men are starting to turn Twickenham, London, into their home from home—just digest that for a moment, England fans—after dispatching the hosts and then Wales at Red Rose HQ.

The two sides last met at this stage in 2003, when a tight first half saw Scotland right in the fight at the break, before being blitzed in the second 40 minutes.

The pattern of the tournament so far has seen many underdogs keep it close before half-time and then wilt in the second half.

The underdog tag very much belongs to Vern Cotter's side this weekend, but they will need to buck their own trend from the pool stages that saw them struggle early on against Japan, the USA and then Samoa, until securing victory in the latter stages.

Any such slow start against Australia will see them out of sight by the time they turn for the dressing rooms. So, Scotland must stay in the argument, and to do that, they must look to quell the multiple threats this impressive Wallaby outfit poses.

Here are the five key reasons Scotland must fear Australia.

1. Their underpowered tight five

The bans handed down to Ross Ford and Jonny Gray have robbed Scotland of two of their key tight-five forwards.

Their suspension awards the upper hand to an Australian unit that has already been the talk of the tournament for its newfound aggression. The gold-and-green lineout has always been a well-oiled machine, but their scrum is known as a major area of weakness.

It is now a weapon that has been used to milk penalties from England and Wales already in this World Cup.

Now, Scotland’s pack—minus the experience and size of Ford and the power of Gray—will come into the Wallaby crosshairs.

Willem Nel has been heralded as a revelation on the tighthead since his induction into the side, and Vern Cotter will be hoping the adopted "Bok Jock" can live up to his billing against Scott Sio and Co.

2. Kurtley Beale

Australia’s first choice full-back Israel Folau has not recovered in time to face Scotland, so Kurtley Beale takes his place.

Beale came on to great effect for Australia against England. He slipped into the wing berth vacated by the injured Peter Horne and was quickly up to speed, linking superbly with Bernard Foley for the No. 10's second try.

Beale increases the X-factor in this Wallaby back line with his fast feet and searing pace. He can fill in anywhere along the three-quarter line and will post great danger to Scotland should they kick deep to him. One area he does not possess the same strength in as Folau is taking high balls in heavy traffic.

3. Michael Hooper

The twin threat of back rowers David Pocock and Michael Hooper has been halved with the news that Pocock is not fit to take part. Nevertheless, Hooper is still going to be one of Scotland’s biggest headaches.

Hooper is relatively fresh coming into this contest. He was rested against Uruguay and banned for the final clash in Pool A with Wales. And yet in his two outings, he has averaged 14.5 tackles.

Against England, he was a constant source of irritation at the breakdown, if not turning the ball over, slowing it down to deny the opposition any fluency.

Scotland can't allow him to have such an impact on their possession.

4. Australia’s half-backs

The new 9/10 combination that has blossomed for the Wallabies is at the heart of their dangerous attack. Will Genia looks reborn in harness with Bernard Foley, and when the old man tires, Nick Phipps can come on to add zest in the last 20 minutes

According to a Reuters report in the National, Genia said: "We train so much together, we’ve had so much time together, so you have plenty of time to develop those combinations and understand each other’s games. From a half-back point of view, it’s been quite seamless."

Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw has looked in great form himself, but as scrum-half, skipper and goal-kicker, he has an awful lot on his plate.

5. The Australian centurions

It has been said many a time that to win a World Cup, a team must have vast experience. On Sunday, two Wallabies will reach 100 caps.

Matt Giteau and captain Stephen Moore are both set to pass the milestone, joining Adam Ashley-Cooper, who already has over a tonne, and they are part of a starting team with 400 more caps (752) than the Scots (350).

These miles on the clock give the Australians the street smarts and composure to deal with any on-field situation, as we saw when they were reduced to 13 men against Wales.

Psychologically, it is incredibly difficult to look for weak links in a team with such experience in key positions, and it will not be something Scotland can pre-occupy themselves with.

Scotland are having an awful Six Nations in 2015, despite impressive performances from Mark Bennett.

Early promise was evident in their matches against France and Wales, but both games ended in defeat for Vern Cotter’s side. 

Then they were undone by their old nemesis Italy, who took sweet revenge for Scotland’s last gasp win in Rome 12 months ago by grinding their way to a late victory in Edinburgh. That’s seven wins for the Italians over Scotland in Six Nations history, and the latter now have the sole aim of trying to avoid the wooden spoon.

This looks a nigh-on impossible task with a visit to Twickenham next and tournament favourites Ireland still to come.

What they must hold on to is the fact that—their dreadful showing against the Azzurri aside—there are signs combinations in certain areas are showing real promise and there are now threats where once there was just a mass of stodgy, stifled, risk-averse rugby.

In Blair Cowan, they have a genuine openside flanker who shone in Paris and against Wales with his turnover ability. He was—as were the rest of the Scottish pack—far less effective against Italy.

However, he is pipped to the accolade of "Biggest Success" by outside centre Bennett, with reasons for this selection listed below. 

1. Beating Bastareaud

In Paris, Bennett made his Six Nations bow and was not overawed by the occasion at all. The Glasgow Warriors man got past his illustrious opponent Mathieu Bastareaud and played a key role in the move that led to the Scots' try.

According to The Rugby Blog: "After a quiet first two caps, Bennett shone in Paris, able to glide round his opposite number Bastareaud and making a telling contribution as he cut an angle and off-loaded to Hogg for Scotland’s try."

2. Dovetailing well with club-mates

The Glasgow Warriors heart of this Scotland back line features Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar and Bennett, and the trio are capable of doing damage—as they have shown against France and Wales. Dunbar heaped praise on midfield stablemate Bennett in the Daily Mail, which was picked up by the RBS 6 Nations website:

"Mark has come in and he's really exciting in attack; he's doing good things and, for us, now it's trying to get the right combinations within the back line and knowing when it's on to have a go and when to slow it down, then play for a bit more territory.

"You learn the more you play together and, with Mark, I just try to keep up, to read his run as early as possible.

"He can create something out of nothing, so it's all about getting the ball to the strike runner, whether it's Mark or Hoggy (Stuart Hogg) or whoever, as early as possible to give them an opportunity."

3. Living with Lions

Bennett couldn’t ask for a tougher test in his first Six Nations than to face the centre pair who finished the last Lions Test together, and that’s who he met when Wales came to town, with Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies in harness.

According to the Scottish Rugby Blog, the newcomer to the tournament more than held his own and showed again why the understanding built at Glasgow under Gregor Townsend will pay dividends for the national side: "[Bennett] built on Paris display by giving Davies a tough time in defence, [and his] familiarity of Glasgow midfield nearly led to scoring chances."

4. A ray of light amid the darkness

The gloom at Murrayfield was almost tangible after Scotland’s defeat to Italy in Round 3, but Bennett was perhaps the one man who could be proud of his efforts.

He picked off an interception try early in the game, underlining his speed of thought and foot. He made more metres with ball in hand than anyone else on the field (101), made two clean breaks, beat four defenders and forced two turnovers, per ESPNScrum.

There was definitely nothing wrong with his work rate.