Process is progress as Scotland seek Six Nations title eliminator triumph
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.Credit to the head coach for backing himself and his players, and specifically for the way they have stuck to their attacking principles since, almost literally in Grant Gilchrist’s case, having their pants pulled down by Italy.If last week’s electrifying display against Les Bleus proved anything, it is that the surest route over the opponent’s tryline is via keeping possession, passing intelligently, and deploying the kind of creative running lines and strike plays that will wrongfoot even the meanest defence.Looming over the start of this tournament was a growing fear that after World Rugby’s escort defender crackdown, an increasing emphasis on contestable kicks risked ruining the elite game.While Steve Borthwick and England double down on a one-dimensional kicking strategy, Townsend and Scotland demonstrated against France that passing, pace and attacking intent can conjure the most remarkable results and the most memorable matches.
A first Six Nations title is tantalisingly within reach – but Scotland are likely to face a familiar problem in Dublin,It doesn’t matter how good your backline is, or how well rehearsed your strike moves are if possession is cut off at source,France were curiously lacklustre in defence at Murrayfield but Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach, has reverted to the same selection as for England at Twickenham,We know how that turned out, and no team has suffered more in the face of Ireland’s considerable power than Scotland,Ireland’s back row – particularly the captain Caelan Doris – were at their destructive best against England.
If they can raise their collective intensity to similar levels, it will be a very difficult day for the visitors.But Scotland’s captain, Sione Tuipulotu, explained on Friday why he believes this could be different.“I’ve come to the Aviva in the past where maybe it seemed a little bit more like hope [than expectation],” he said.“Where our strength comes from as a team is the hard stuff we’ve been through.To be resilient in those times is what gives me the most confidence that we’ll be the best version of ourselves tomorrow.
”Kicking will be important, but the breakdown arguably even more so, given the visitors’ laudable plan to run the ball.If they are to impose their style they will need another big performance from Rory Darge.The back-rower has the most turnovers in the tournament – eight – with Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey (seven) and Tadhg Beirne (six) second and third respectively.Darge, who will play openside next to Jack Dempsey at No 8 and Matt Fagerson on the blindside, also tops the individual jackalling chart with six (Beirne is second for the Six Nations, with five: he slots into the second row, with Jack Conan covering blindside flanker).Scotland’s locks, Gilchrist and Max Williamson, are sure to have their hands full against Beirne and Joe McCarthy, who has also been in fearsome form.
It is the team statistics, though, which demonstrate kicking rugby is not necessarily winning rugby.Scotland have the lowest kick metres, the fewest kicks in play, and the joint-most carries at this tournament: 590, level with France.Ireland, of course, have had quite the journey themselves in recent weeks.Crushed by France on the opening night, they laboured past a fast-improving Italy before marmalising England.Victory against Wales was duly delivered, putting them within striking distance of France, who remain title favourites, and Saturday’s visitors.
It is more than nine years and 11 matches since Scotland experienced anything other than painful defeat against Ireland.If they back themselves to move the ball as they did against France – and achieve a similar result – Townsend’s trust in his process will truly be vindicated.
Miliband reveals plans that could mean nuclear power plants built near homes
Ed Miliband has unveiled plans that could make it easier to build nuclear power plants closer to homes and on sensitive nature sites, as he attempts to speed up the development of energy infrastructure.The energy secretary set out changes to nuclear regulation, to be carried out this year, which would mean a “win-win for building critical infrastructure while protecting nature and the environment”.However, ministers were quickly accused of “irresponsible deregulation” and putting nature at risk.The shake-up means the government will implement the recommendations of a review completed last year by the nuclear regulatory taskforce review, which was led by the former Office of Fair Trading boss John Fingleton.It said an overhaul of the “overly complex” and “bureaucratic” system which “favoured process over safe outcomes” was needed
Bailiffs board Ryanair plane after airline refuses to pay delayed flight compensation
Bailiffs have boarded a Ryanair aircraft after the airline refused to pay compensation to a passenger whose flight was delayed.Austrian officials took action after the budget carrier ignored a court order to pay the unnamed woman €890 (£742) in legal costs and compensation for a delayed flight two years ago.A bailiff entered the plane, which was bound for London, as it sat on the stand at Linz airport on Monday and fixed a seizure sticker to the cabin when crew were unable to settle the debt.The label, known as a “cuckoo sticker”, gives the court legal control over the aircraft, which was allowed to continue to operate under set conditions. The court can sell the Boeing 737 at public auction if the debt is not paid by a deadline
AI toys for young children must be more tightly regulated, say researchers
It was all going well. Charlotte, five, was chatting with an AI soft toy called Gabbo at a London play centre about her family, her drawing of a heart to represent them and what makes her happy. She even offered a couple of kisses to the £80 toy with a face like a computer screen.It was when she declared: “Gabbo, I love you”, that the fluent conversation came to an abrupt halt.“As a friendly reminder, please ensure interactions adhere to the guidelines provided,” said Gabbo, awkwardly crashing into its guardrails
‘IG is a drug’: jury to deliberate as US trial over social media addiction wraps up
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Cheltenham festival 2026: Gaelic Warrior storms to Gold Cup glory – as it happened
Time to sign off from Cheltenham for another year. I’ll leave you with Greg Wood’s report from trackside. Thanks for joining me, and enjoy your weekends.Just look at all the sport you can follow on the Guardian website this weekend. Look!So after a week of drama, controversy and strong words off the course, today felt a little more like business as usual – particularly with Mullins claiming three winners, including the Gold Cup, 24 hours after firing thinly-veiled threats at the racecourse
Gaelic Warrior routs Gold Cup field and carries Mullins into record books
A capacity crowd had squeezed into the grandstands on Friday hoping to see a football legend lift the festival’s biggest prize, but the greatest trainer in National Hunt history had other ideas. The Gold Cup was one of the last races at the meeting to elude Willie Mullins until his first win in 2019. Now he has five, joining Tom Dreaper, Arkle’s trainer, as the co-holder of the all-time record, after Gaelic Warrior’s relentless charge up the hill to an eight-length success.Paul Townend, meanwhile, is now out on his own as the only rider to win five Gold Cups, one more than Pat Taaffe, who steered Arkle to all three of his victories in the 1960s.Gaelic Warrior is a different brand of steeplechaser to Al Boum Photo and Galopin Des Champs, who both recorded a pair of victories for Mullins and Townend
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