Six Nations rugby: Scotland have a real chance to end 22 years of hurt – Scotsman comment

Scotland are and will forever be the Five Nations rugby champions, having won the final tournament in 1999.

Wales will be no pushover despite Scotland's defeat of pre-tournament favourites England (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

However, this is little consolation for the fact, that since the beginning of the Six Nations, such glory has not been achieved again. It is a barren spell almost as long as the Scottish international football team’s absence from a major international tournament, which will happily end later this year.

Victory over pre-tournament favourites England at Twickenham last week arguably now makes the Scots favourites, although the narrowness of October’s win over Wales, today’s opponents, should dampen the expectations of any fans tempted to get carried away.

The players, of course, are unlikely to do so. They will know just how good the Welsh players are – not to mention the Irish and French who still lie in wait, eager to capitalise on England’s defeat – and are highly unlikely to take anything for granted.

But, all the same, it is a good feeling to be looking forward to a Six Nations’ game with considerable optimism.

Our forwards passed a stern test last week by not just standing up to England’s pack, but besting them. Combined with the scintillating attacking prowess of the likes of Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg, it is clear this is one of our best teams for years, perhaps decades.

Former England international Matt Dawson said Scotland’s win at Twickenham was “as comprehensive a performance as New Zealand could produce”. The question now is whether, like a truly great side, they can consistently reproduce such marvellous form. Come on Scotland!

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