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Rugby

Andy Nicol | Scotland have a mental fragility

The general feeling in Scottish rugby is not good.



Andy Nicol | Scotland have a m...
Rugby

Andy Nicol | Scotland have a mental fragility

Scotland's shortcomings in the Six Nations have not been physical or tactical, according to former Scotland international Andy Nicol. 

For a second year running, Scotland kicked off their campaign with a brilliant win against rivals England, only to fall short of expectations in the games following.

Gregor Townsend's side ran out 20-17 victors in Murrayfield in the opening day of the Six Nations but followed that up with a defeat to Wales, another to France and a less than convincing win against Italy.

The issue is not physical, according to Nicol, but an issue of mentality.

"There's definitely a mental fragility," Nicol told Off The Ball.

"Scotland have proven over the past few years that they can get up for one-off games, that they can win against some of the best, they've beaten France, England twice, beaten Wales and they've beaten Australia."

"So they can do the one-off games. What they've not had is consistency."

"If you're going to make any inroads into competitions, especially the Six Nations, you need consistency."

Scotland finished tied for third with Ireland at last year's tournament, but as the sides face each other in the finale of this year's competition, Ireland are chasing a Triple Crown, while Scotland are lingering on just 10 points.

"Scotland have regressed. I don't think they've regressed physically. I think mentally they weren't up for going down to Cardiff as favourites."

"That is a mentality that has to change. It's hard to change that if you've not got the experience of doing it, it's hard to go back there when you need it."

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Andy Farrell Gregor Townsend Ireland Off The Ball Otb Rugby Rugby Scotland Six Nations