Opinion
The five key factors Scotland will target for slick Italian job
Scotland have won their last eight Six Nations games against Italy, but potential pitfalls await in Rome.
David Ferguson
07 Mar 2024, 9:38
Contributors
David Ferguson
@davidferg
David Ferguson has covered Scottish rugby for over 30 years. Starting his journalism career in the 1980s in the rugby hotbed of the Scottish Borders, David went on to cover rugby for UK national newspapers, BBC Scotland, ITV and Radio Borders, and was editor of Scottish Rugby Magazine,m. In 2000, David took over as Chief Rugby Writer at The Scotsman and, in the next 14 years, covered club, professional and international rugby, including a series of Rugby World Cups and Lions tours, alongside other major sports events.
He ghost wrote Jim Telfer's autobiography and won Scottish Press Awards for writing and the development of digital sports coverage. He ran his own communications and media business, working with Scottish, UK and European governments, charities and corporate business, and developed the Observatory for Sport in Scotland, Scotland’s first research think tank on sport.
Interview
The 'Class of 99' reunite to dream of a Scotland renaissance
Gregor Townsend and Gary Armstrong reminisce over spearheading an unlikely Five Nations championship win
David Ferguson
22 Feb 2024, 3:18
The glum statistic about this weekend's Scotland squad
The dwindling impact of the once mighty Borders rugby production factory reaches a nadir this weekend with a Scotland squad select…
David Ferguson
02 Feb 2024, 5:49
Interview
'Nothing comes easy for Scotland in Cardiff – you have to earn it'
Two heroes of previous Scotland wins in Cardiff explain how the current side can end 22 years of hurt.
David Ferguson
02 Feb 2024, 5:08
Scotland lose Grant Gilchrist for opening Six Nations game
Scotland have lost their talismanic second row Grant Gilchrist for the opening Six Nations match in Wales due to suspension, but t…
David Ferguson
25 Jan 2024, 10:50
Finn Russell on his 'jokey' Messi comment that has now gone viral
Finn Russell could never be described as shy and the Netflix producers clearly loved his openness with the opening episode release…
David Ferguson
25 Jan 2024, 5:11
Aaron Reed in line for Scotland cap as star winger's injury opens door
Scotland have suffered a blow with wing Darcy Graham being ruled out of the opening two matches of the Six Nations Championship, w…
David Ferguson
21 Jan 2024, 12:29
Why Gregor Townsend parted ways with Jamie Ritchie as skipper
Gregor Townsend has opted for a twin track on his Six Nations captaincy after announcing Rory Darge and Finn Russell as his chosen…
David Ferguson
21 Jan 2024, 11:34
Interview
‘It’s hard to see the path a good young player takes’: Bryan Redpath on Scottish rugby’s development issue
The former Scotland captain assesses why talented youngsters struggle to break into the pro game
David Ferguson
11 Dec 2023, 9:29
Former Scotland international Craig Chalmers reveals cancer diagnosis
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions stand-off Craig Chalmers has revealed that he is suffering from prostate cancer.
David Ferguson
05 Dec 2023, 11:41
Exclusive
The Scottish mastermind thriving behind the scenes in France's Top 14
After nearly two decades plotting European domination with Clermont Auvergne, the proud Scotsman has a few thoughts on rugby back …
David Ferguson
12 Nov 2023, 3:30
Opinion
Scotland left to wonder what might have been
Scotland were outplayed and outshone by an Ireland side playing like World Cup-winners elect, so how can they bridge the gap?
David Ferguson
10 Oct 2023, 8:45
Opinion
Scotland primed to buck the trend of recent Irish dominance
Scotland are underdogs against Ireland, a side they would beat comfortably at the turn of the century, can they regain bragging ri…
David Ferguson
05 Oct 2023, 17:01
Interview
'It is really difficult to watch because I know many of these guys and they are good people'
A worrying lack of hope radiates from a handful of Tier Two nations at this Rugby World Cup and continued investment is required
David Ferguson
28 Sep 2023, 4:55
Opinion
Scotland's multiple threats prove attack is far more than the Finn Russell show
Much is made of Finn Russell's multi-layered attacking arsenal but there are threats all over the Scotland backline
David Ferguson
23 Sep 2023, 7:06
Interview
Jim Telfer: 'Scotland have to win the next three games, and I think they can'
The formidable Octogenarian says Scotland are down but not out of the World Cup and should retain their belief
David Ferguson
16 Sep 2023, 4:51
Exclusive
'It feels like I've awakened something' - Healy and Redpath's Scottish ascent
Ben Healy and Cam Redpath took circuitous but rewarding routes to the Scotland World Cup squad
David Ferguson
05 Sep 2023, 5:47
Interview
Scotland veterans, Gilchrist and Gray, primed for final World Cup quest
They maybe in the veteran stage of their careers but Grant Gilchrist and Richie Gray can be a vital cog in Scotland's engine room
David Ferguson
25 Aug 2023, 17:41
Interview
Finn Russell: 'I’ve got no excuses now'
Those closest to Scotland’s talismanic stand-off Finn Russell might suggest it is a dangerous place to go, but the new Bath sign…
David Ferguson
19 Aug 2023, 4:40
Opinion
Scotland steel themselves to enter the World Cup Pool B hurt locker
Gregor Townsend has named a squad of few surprises knowing he has to fight his way out of a pool which includes Ireland and South …
David Ferguson
17 Aug 2023, 9:16
