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Townsend responds to ex-Scotland flanker branding side 'an embarrassment'
By Ian Cameron
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has responded to former Scottish international Jason White describing his ex-side as ‘an embarrassment’ following their disappointing loss to Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.
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The Scots were blown away by Ireland 36-14, with two late tries saving the Scots from being nilled by a rampant Irish side in their Pool B decider.
Many fans and former have voiced their frustration with the performance, or lack thereof, and Townsend admits that they are right to feel aggrieved after Scotland exited the tournament prior to the knockout stages.
“I thought the supporters were right to be disappointed, right to see the scoreline and think, ‘this is not Scotland, this is terrible’,” said Townsend when asked about White’s comments. “We get that. We feel so disappointed that we weren’t able to make it a much more competitive game and that hurts us as well as it does our supporters. At the end of a tournament it hurts us even more.”
Townsend also responded to a question on whether or not he felt his players had been too vocal in the lead-up to the game. Post-match comments from Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony implied that Ireland may have used the words as motivation.
“Players are free to talk how they want to talk to the media. There is obviously much more media in the World Cup. We don’t tell players what to say, they can say how they feel. We felt confident in our game based on what we’d done over the last year or so. We obviously didn’t deliver that. I would much prefer our players being confident going into a game than not confident.
“I was proud of a lot of aspects of the game. I am hugely disappointed that the game got away from us. We’re out of the World Cup.
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“There’s a lot that gets invested, from players to coaches and management, and for it to end in a disappointing result, a big score, is very tough.
“I have been involved with teams in the past and your defeats can shape you as well. Sport will have defeats and victories, we understand that. All that work that has been put into this team and the work that the players have put in has to continue. We have to learn how we can be better in our own game but also learn from the number one team in the world – what are they doing to make them consistent, effective and better than anyone else right now?
“That will be the process we work on and how we approach our next tournament, which will be the Six Nations in a few months’ time.”
Having to beat Ireland by 8 was very significant. It meant that when Ireland scored first Scotland were effectively 13-0 down against a great team. Huge mountain very early in the game.
I see all commentators are being polite and PC. Let me be the first to say: Jason White, FU!
This Scotland team was up against the finest team in the world. They had one throw of the dice and they didn’t make it. They were NOT humiliated.
How about you reflect on your own career as a Scottish player and compare that with this Scottish team? Record loss against Italy, as I recall.
Wind your neck in, you prick, and reflect on your own “illustrious” RWC career. 2 point win against Italy (where they outscored you 1 try to nil) and a 40-0 walloping from the ABs. You had a free ride into the QFs and you nearly stuffed it up.
Townsend has taken this Scottish team from nowhere (you know, when you played) to fifth in the world. Show a little respect, you donkey.
Bill Bellicheck's teams aren’t free to say what they want.
Why did Scotland wait until the horse had bolted before retaining & running it? Why on earth did Russell, or Townsend let him, kick from the outset leading to the 1st Irish try in 70 seconds?
Particularly Russell, then continued to kick aimlessly, pointlessly to 1 ranked Ireland as though Scotland had some sort of death wish.
Such a schizophrenic display surely points to both Townsend & Russell as tacticians, decision makers simply not being up to it at international level.
Also in defence, Scotland were too easily, too often pulled out of shape. This exposes Townsend‘s ‘D’ coaching nous.. credibility full stop?
Have these 2 never heard of possession, possession & in the former’s case, positioning?
Disappointing. Let their nation down IMO.
Matches between Ireland and Scotland have always been on tasty side. Those late tries will have reduced some of the embarrassment for Townsend's lads but not all. I had hoped for more but was ½ expecting it.