'Complete': Scotland plot Six Nations plan to make up for November Tests pain as CEO prepares for questions

Scotland plan to right the wrongs of a disappointing November Test campaign by putting in “complete” performances in next year’s Six Nations.

The Scots won two of their four Quilter Nations Series matches earlier this month against USA (85-0) and Tonga (56-0), but failed to get the better of New Zealand (17-25) before blowing a 21-point lead to go down to Argentina (24-33).

The defeat against Argentina brought scathing criticism of the Scotland players given they held such a sizeable advantage over Los Pumas and heaped pressure on head coach Gregor Townsend, who back in September was given a new contract until after the 2027 World Cup.

Scotland's Fergus Burke sprints clear during the 56-0 win over Tonga. | SNS Group / SRU

Scotland prevailed in three of their four autumn matches last year and while the emphatic win over Tonga applied a little balm to post-Argentina wounds, stand-off Fergus Burke accepts that the Six Nations is where Scotland can show what they are capable of.

The Scots begin the campaign away to Italy on February 7 before a Calcutta Cup clash with England at Murrayfield seven days later. There are also games away at Wales and Ireland, with a home match against the French sandwiched in between.

“I think we set some high standards and we set ourselves the goal of winning all four in November and unfortunately, there were a couple of games that got away,” said Burke. “There is a frustration but there's also a good feeling amongst the group that we can right a few wrongs going into the Six Nations.

“I think the Six Nations is where we really put a few things right, but obviously scoring over 50 points [against Tonga] and keeping the team to nil is always good. We spoke about how we've got the best fans in the world, and we saw that when we came off the bus.

“Sione [Tuipulotu, captain] said it's on us to put a performance in for them, so hopefully they leave today with a smile on their face and then we can come back in the Six Nations and really make them proud.”

Scotland’s Six Nations ambitions

When asked what sort of performance would put it right in terms of the number of victories in the Six Nations, Burke continued: “I think we want to win, that's the first and foremost goal, but a complete performance is probably what we're chasing.

“We've seen we can beat and be better than world-class teams like the All Blacks and Argentina for periods of games, but it's trying to do that for 80 minutes and come out the right side with results, so that's ultimately what we're chasing.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson is set to be quizzed on Scotland’s performance this year and the future of Townsend when the union holds its annual general meeting on Wednesday evening.

Williamson took office as CEO at the start of 2025 and signed off on a new deal for Townsend, who will have been in charge for decade if he sees out his latest deal. However, Scotland’s displays this year have been largely underwhelming, with wins coming over Italy, Wales, Maori All Blacks, Samoa, USA and Tonga, with defeats by England, Ireland, France, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.