After 11 straight defeats against Ireland, victory in Dublin would vindicate Gregor Townsend’s faith in his players
Trusting the process. It sounds like a fine idea in principle: although it really depends if your process was any good in the first place.
Gregor Townsend faced down a familiar cacophony of criticism after Scotland’s opening defeat by Italy last month. The same old shortcomings had been exposed, it was said, and another year of disappointment beckoned. Townsend had insisted the embarrassing capitulation against Argentina in November, from 21-0 ahead, was a “line in the sand moment” – only to see that line swiftly washed away in the sheeting Roman rain.
“I believe in what we’re doing, I believe in the players,” Townsend said after the 18-15 reverse at Stadio Olimpico. “Today it didn’t happen. We’ve got to make sure it happens next week.” The fans, frankly, had heard it all before.
It was a shambolic performance against Italy in many respects, with Scotland’s error count making them unable to recover from the Azzurri’s exemplary start. But Scotland did make it happen the following week and now, after wins against England, Wales and, most spectacularly, France, it seems nothing was irretrievably broken after all.
