Video: Tough-talking Townsend takes media bashing, but tries to ease talk of disaster

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was given a grilling by the Scottish media on Thursday, as they once again sought answers to his side’s capitulation against Wales.

Townsend has made six changes to his side for Sunday’s match with France at BT Murrayfield and he insists his team can bounce back.

“The responsibility for last week lies with the coaches and myself. We put a team out to perform. Whether it is selection or how we prepared, the first thing we look at is how we could have done it better.”

“We, as a coaching group, and especially the players, believe that what we showed at the weekend wasn’t a true reflection of what we are capable of and what we have done throughout 2017.”

One of those returning to the side is Greig Laidlaw, in place of Ali Price, who struggled throughout in Cardiff.

“He’s been captain of the side for a couple of seasons. He drives a lot of the standards off and on the field, so having him back in the group last week was already a positive and seeing him play so well and being desperate to be back in the team will help others around him.”

Townsend was keen to put the 34-7 defeat to Wales behind him.

“Our focus is now on France. We have two huge games coming up at Murrayfield to show what we are capable of and, in the context of the championship, we will see after this weekend where we are.”

BREAKING | Here is your Scotland team to play France this Sunday at BT Murrayfield in round 2 of the #NatWest6Nations! ??????? #AsOne pic.twitter.com/GEzCPJhbE5

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 8, 2018