Townsend: ‘We can score tries’

ITS RUGBY World Cup form might suggest otherwise, but Scotland is determined to realise its attacking potential in next year’s Six Nations, says Gregor Townsend.

Tries were hard to come by for the Andy Robinson-coached side at rugby’s premier tournament, with Scotland crossing for just four of them during the pool stage.

Remarkably, they were all scored against Romania, with the side failing to cross the white paint against Georgia, Argentina and England.

Just how poor Scotland’s attack was during the tournament is best illustrated by the fact that only Romania and Georgia (both three) scored less five-pointers. Like the Scots, the USA also scored four.

However, Townsend says his side is looking to remedy its attacking woes during the Six Nations and believes a ruthless edge can be found.

“I'm very optimistic. We believe the fundamentals are there, the players are really coming through and standing up at test level. That was proved at the World Cup,” he told an audience at the Auld Enemy Dinner celebrating Calcutta Cup clashes between Scotland and England in Edinburgh.

“The rugby we have been playing and want to play is attacking rugby.

“It's about the decision-making when we get into the opposition 22 and the execution.

“I believe we can go into the Six Nations looking forward to scoring tries and it's certainly our goal to get tries on the board as well as other points.”

Scotland opens its campaign against England at Murrayfield on February 4.