‘Feelgood stories on turbulent day for Scotland’

Jonny Gray made his first international rugby match appearance in almost two years on Saturday in Murrayfield’s backyard.

This Scotland squad does not feature any of Gray’s most gregarious players. He’s not a natural performer in front of the cameras. But he’s honest and likeable and, most importantly, he’s back.

His words had a powerful impact when he began speaking after Italy won.

He has had a terrible time with injuries, once the mainstay of the Scotland pack.

From the day in late April 2023 when he blew out his knee playing for Exeter, to early September 2024 when he turned out for his new club, Bordeaux, Gray played no rugby.

He wanted to attend the November Tests, but his body wasn’t ready. Then he got injured again.

He pondered what the day would hold for him if there was no action in the six weeks leading up to Saturday.

We spoke with Gray after we saw him on the field, and we eventually learned more about his agony from it.

How difficult was that time? Very, he said.

Did he ever doubt that he would return to Scotland? Yes, he did.

How special was Saturday? He mentioned that this was the first time the two of his two sons, who were standing, saw their father play for his country.

Emotional? Just a bit. And it was lovely.

On a fairly turbulent day for Scotland, Gray was one of the feelgood stories.

You could have given Rory Darge, whose work-rate and influence were incredible, or Zander Fagerson, whose work-rate and influence are legendary, or Huw Jones, who had Test Lion written all over him, which was fair enough given his hat-trick.

No discussion would have been allowed for the gnarled old props of Scotland to support Fagerson in a bloc vote. The Peter Wrights would acknowledge Jones’ treble while direct you to the illiberal people who built the platform in the first place.

Fagerson scrummaged well, carried 16 times, and made 69 yards with a ball in hand when passing through Blair Kinghhorn, who only carried more. That’s kinda mad.

On the meters made count, he had four backs before him, and they all had backs. One of them lasted 72 minutes, while the other lasted just 80.

Big Zander was out there for 68 minutes of world-class graft. He was immense. Again.

For Scotland, it was a pleasing win, but their own analysis was encouraging.

Finn Russell was hard on himself. Sarge described how loose they were before Italy struck them. Their breakdown work needs to be a whole lot better, he said.

None of these men need to be told that they are losing if they face Ireland in a game of inaccuracy and vulnerability.

Jones wasn’t getting carried away. A hat-trick, sure, but Ireland are up next and if any team is capable of taking the smile off a Scottish player’s face it’s the Irish.

Ireland have won 10 in a row against Scotland.

Last year in Dublin, Gregor Townsend’s side were defensively sound but it was still a two-score game before Jones scored late. The visitors never looked like winning.

In the three meetings prior to that, the minutes were as good as over in minutes 40, 62, and 60.

According to Jones, “We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time but never quite get it.” “It’s a huge challenge for us.

” It’s the big match temperament, isn’t it? That’s what we need to find within this squad. We’ve sort of had it in games but never strung it together.

Scotland excelled in Dublin last year, but their main focus was on their own line rather than anything they did in an attack.

Additionally, they early-handed Ireland seven points thanks to a poor lineout. If you look back over the 10 losses, you’ll see numerous instances of terrible Scottish errors.

“Last year was one of our best performances in Ireland,” Jone continued. “But, again, one of those we didn’t quite take our chances.

” This is the one we want. They’ve had our number for years now.

“It’s time to front up and have a really special performance. You don’t want to say anything that will cause you to regret it, but I believe we both hold a belief.

However, we have previously stated this and not been on the winning side.