Townsend Reflects on Scotland's Defeat to Italy

Following Scotland's 18-15 defeat to Italy, head coach Gregor Townsend expressed disappointment regarding the outcome, noting it complicates their tournament standing. He acknowledged the team's effort and the implementation of trained strategies, but identified excessive possession loss and a failure to score more points in the first half as key contributing factors.

A Difficult Second Half

Townsend described the second half as extremely difficult, commending the players' significant effort despite it being insufficient for a win. He highlighted that Scotland allowed Italy to gain a lead and score two breakaway tries, while Scotland's own missed opportunities made the remainder of the game profoundly challenging.

Townsend anticipates criticism for both the result and the performance.

He affirmed his unwavering support for his team and expressed pride in their efforts to find a way to win during the closing stages of the match. Townsend recognized the necessity for improved performance, particularly within the first 20 minutes of a game.

Looking Ahead and Team Belief

Townsend concluded by stating his belief in the team and their current approach, committing to ensure a better performance in the following week's fixture.