How Scotland went from brink of disaster to edge of glory

As Scotland's players stood with hands on heads after what appeared to be a ruinous opening Six Nations defeat by Italy in Rome, a Wooden Spoon appeared a distinct possibility. A title challenge? No chance.

Just as the Biblical rain battered down on them in the monsoon at the Stadio Olimpico, so the criticism rained down on Gregor Townsend and his players as another campaign appeared to be doomed before it really got going.

What a remarkable turnaround it has been in the month since then.

A clinical dismantling of England was thrilling, though not unexpected given the Scottish dominance of the Calcutta Cup meetings in recent years.

The gritty victory over Wales, rallying from 20-5 to win late on, showed a different side to the team.

The mental strength to win ugly in a hostile environment, to prevail when far below their dazzling best, was something rarely seen from a Townsend side. It may well have been their most important hurdle.

The scintillating nature of the victory over France on Saturday left the impression this is a side finally ready to fulfil the potential that has been spoken of for the longest time.

Racking up seven tries and 50 points against one of the top two sides in the world, playing a glorious style that showcased innovation, physicality and ambition, was compelling evidence Scotland have truly arrived as contenders.

Scotland's margin for error in the Six Nations disappeared with that defeat in Rome.

How they have navigated a path to a final-day shootout for the title, the ability and character they have shown to get there, has been seriously impressive.

"We've just been trying to build the snowball, build that momentum," said utility back Tom Jordan. "After the Wales game, we knew we would have an opportunity to go further and have a chance to win the tournament.

"Having that sort of mindset was really good for us. Hopefully, we can just keep growing the snowball a little bit more for one more week."

Only once before in the Six Nations have Scotland put together three consecutive wins. That was in 2020, when they recovered from losing their opening two games.

Jack Dempsey, a towering performer against France, said the players had fulfilled a promise they made to each other to prove the victory over England was not the one-off it has been in previous seasons.

They vowed to "come out hot" against France and were true to their word.

The old vulnerabilities, of switching off or falling out of matches, have been absent in this three-match sequence against England, Wales and France.

The scars of previous failures seem to have created a resilience and belief within the squad that has lifted them to new heights.

"The character of the team has been put to the test," said back-row Matt Fagerson.

"I've been on the end of three-point, two-point games where we've not come out on the right side of the result. It really affects confidence.

"In the past, we've been a team that's almost been there. When these results start going your way and you start getting a bit more confidence, it's huge for the group. We've got a lot of belief in the squad and I think that came out today.

"Focusing on one game at a time has been a big mantra for this side. There's only one more game to focus on and there's so much on it now."

A trip to Dublin to face Ireland, a side they have not beaten in nine years and 11 attempts, will be a big test of Scotland's new-found resilience.

"We can't wait," Fagerson added. "Ireland, a lot of people have been talking about them having maybe lost it.

"But you saw what they did to England at Twickenham [a 42-21 win]. They're still top-three in the world. They're an incredible team.

"The last game, the Six Nations is on the line. If you can't get up for that, you're in the wrong place. We're hugely excited."