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Autumn Series Test: Scotland v Tonga

Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Sunday, 23 November Kick-off: 13:40 GMT

Gregor Townsend walked in the room with a warmth that contrasted with the frostiness in front of him. Outside the walls of the interview room at Oriam in Edinburgh the ice was setting in. Inside, it was a touch chilly too.

“I’m here to address anything,” said the Scotland head coach at one point, which, as it turned out, didn’t include much about Tonga on Sunday, his team’s final opponent of a four-Test autumn that’s been dominated by a massive missed opportunity against the vulnerable New Zealand and a desperate implosion, from 21-0 up, against Argentina. Tonga, frankly, took a back seat.

Townsend has lost two big games this autumn, he has won two games out of five in three of the past four Six Nations and has been emptied from back-to-back World Cups at the pool stage, scoring three points against the Springboks in the 2023 tournament that culminated in a loss to Ireland when their opponents raced into a 36-0 lead.

There was booing at Murrayfield on Sunday, a huge rarity. So, after more than eight years in the job has the time now come to accept that he’s been there for long enough?

“That’s your opinion,” he replied. Townsend was measured and polite, as ever, but the questions were hot and heavy. It was tense in that room.

“I’ve seen the team play the best rugby it’s played in the eight years over the last two or three weeks,” he argued. “Now, we’re very disappointed we didn’t get a win against New Zealand and Argentina.

“We created enough against New Zealand and we were 21-0 up against Argentina. To get in those positions, to be 21-0 up, the team is delivering up to that point.”

‘Up to that point’ being the key caveat. Games don’t last as long as Scotland want them to, sadly. They don’t end after a razor-sharp opening spell against the Pumas or when Scotland have clawed back a horrendous start to make it 17-17 against the All Blacks.

Did he get the message from the home crowd when they booed on full-time?

“Yeah, we sensed the disappointment in the crowd, it was like an exhale of disappointment,” he said.

That’s a new way of putting it. No, it was definitely booing.

Townsend said his determination to drive on in the job is undiminished. “Yes, even more so,” he answered when asked if he had the stomach for the fight despite all the kicks in teeth.

“Maybe you don’t believe me, but this week it was really important. I felt something different in our review about the way the players came together with the coaches. It’s painful. Sunday night was painful.

“Going through that last 20 minutes on Monday is painful, but the failures and how you respond to them make you the team you can be. I’ve been really encouraged on how that’s played out through this week.

“It’s been a big week of meetings, honesty, a real deep dive on how we could be better in that final 20-25 minutes (against the Pumas when they capitulated and lost a game they had done so much early on to win).

It was a revisiting of an earlier theme – Scotland can be outstanding for pockets of games but too often they don’t have the mental strength to see these games through. They have shown psychological weakness many times in recent years and it’s all getting tiresome to at least a section of those watching. Most probably, a large section and growing all the while.

This team routinely has meltdowns, it was put to him. “I would disagree,” he replied. “I wouldn’t say routinely. The last 20 minutes wasn’t good enough, but the performance levels have been at a high level now over the last few weeks.

“In terms of performances, I’m seeing enough out of this team to back up what I said three or four weeks ago.”

Three or four weeks ago, when talking to BBC Scotland, Townsend said his squad was in the best place it has ever been in on his watch. In terms of Test experience, player depth chart, the power game, players winning things with their clubs and the huge number of Scots who saw game time with the British and Irish Lions in Australia in the summer, the future had been not as bright in his eight years, he argued.

And he still believes it, despite defeats and the booing and the clear signs that when the chips are down in games Scotland tighten up and become error-prone and easy meat. Haven’t the fans seen enough?

A spike for Tonga? If that’s true, it’s a curious response to a soul-destroying defeat by Argentina. Scottish rugby fans really must be gluttons for punishment.

“It’s great to know that the atmosphere that was created in the New Zealand game and the atmosphere when Argentina scored and Flower of Scotland was ringing out – the supporters are behind the team,” Townsend explained. “They’re very disappointed that we didn’t win, like we are.

“We have no right to beat every team in the world – but we believe we can. Our supporters and our players can expect, with what we have here, that we can take on the best teams in the world.”

Scotland can take on the best in the world for passages of games for sure, but their win record against teams sitting above them in the rankings has been dismal for an age. They are currently ninth in the world having been fifth just before the start of the last World Cup. They are falling away in terms of winning games (as opposed to Townsend’s mantra of being competitive).

How does he explain the drop-offs, the moments in time that saw New Zealand and Argentina win, the passages in recent seasons that saw Italy roaring back from a big deficit and beating Scotland and that saw Wales, in 2024 and 2025, scare the life out of Townsend’s team despite being miles behind on the scoreboard?

“That’s rugby, that’s sport,” is his response. “Look at New Zealand. During 20-30 minutes against us they didn’t hardly touch the ball. Argentina were 21-0 down.

“So that happens to the best teams. What we need to do is when that momentum does start to go in the favour of the opposition, we have to find ways to get it back.”

How long can he keep banging that drum, though? Yes, New Zealand were outplayed by Scotland for a stretch and, yes again, Argentina were routed early on. Both of them still won, which is really all that matters. That winning mentality still eludes Scotland despite all the years Townsend has had to instil it. There’s still a softness that’s ruinous.

Is he expecting a review of his own performance at the end of the autumn? “I don’t know,” he said. “We review every campaign, but you’d have to ask someone else on that.”

Scotland vs. Tonga Test: Autumn Series

Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Sunday, 23 November Kick-off: 13: 40 GMT

Gregor Townsend entered the room with a warmth that outweighed the frostiness in front of him. Outside the walls of the interview room at Oriam in Edinburgh the ice was setting in. It was also a little chilly inside.

The Scotland head coach once said, “I’m here to address anything,” which, as it turned out, didn’t mention much about Tonga on Sunday, his team’s final test of a four-Test campaign that has been marred by a huge missed opportunity against the vulnerable New Zealand and a desperate implosion, from 21-0 up, against Argentina. Tonga, frankly, took a back seat.

Townsend has lost two important matches this autumn, won two of his last four Six Nations games, and has been eliminated from the previous two World Cups through pool. In the 2023 competition, Townsend scored three points against the Springboks, which ended in a 36-0 loss to Ireland when their opponents ran into a 36-0 lead.

On Sunday, Murrayfield was booed, which is a rare sight. Has it now become clear that he has been working for long enough after more than eight years?

“That’s your opinion”, he replied. Townsend was polite and modest as always, but the questions were lengthy and difficult. In that room, things were tense.

“I’ve seen the team play the best rugby it’s played in the eight years over the last two or three weeks”, he argued. We’re very disappointed that we didn’t win against Argentina and New Zealand.

We scored enough goals to defeat New Zealand, which put us up against Argentina. To get in those positions, to be 21-0 up, the team is delivering up to that point. “

The key caveat is “Up until that point.” Unfortunately, Scotland’s desire for games to last as long as they do. They don’t end after a razor-sharp opening spell against the Pumas or when Scotland have clawed back a horrendous start to make it 17-17 against the All Blacks.

When the home crowd booed him on full-time, did he understand?

He said, “Yes, we sensed the disappointment in the crowd; it was like an inhalation of disappointment.”

That’s a new way of putting it. No, it was undoubtedly booing.

Townsend claimed that he is steadfast in his work ethic. Yes, even more so, “he answered when asked if he had the stomach for the fight despite all the kicks in teeth.

“This week was really important, even if you don’t believe me,” I apologize. Our review’s interaction between the players and the coaches gave me a different perspective. It’s painful. It hurt on Sunday night.

“The failures and how you handle them make you the team you can be,” says the statement from the final 20 minutes of Monday. I’ve been really encouraged on how that’s played out through this week.

It’s been a busy week of meetings, sincere meetings, and a real deep analysis of how we could improve in those final 20 to 25 minutes (against the Pumas, who capitulated and lost a game they had already won)

Scotland can be excellent for a lot of games, but too frequently they don’t have the mental strength to carry them out. This was repeated in this article. They have shown psychological weakness numerous times in recent years, and at least some of the viewers are getting bored. Most probably, a large section and growing all the while.

He was told about this team’s frequent meltdowns. He responded, “I would disagree.” “I wouldn’t say routinely. Even though the performance levels have been consistently high over the past few weeks, the last 20 minutes weren’t good enough.

I think this team’s performances are sufficient to support what I said three or four weeks ago.

Three or four weeks ago, when talking to BBC Scotland, Townsend said his squad was in the best place it has ever been in on his watch. The future had not been as promising in his eight years, he claimed, in terms of player depth, player power, power players, players who won things with their clubs, and the large number of Scots who saw summer league action with the British and Irish Lions in Australia.

In spite of defeats, the booing, and the obvious indications that Scotland tightens up and turns into error-prone and easy meat, he still believes it. Haven’t the fans seen enough?

A Tonga’s spike If that’s true, it’s a curious response to a soul-destroying defeat by Argentina. Scottish rugby fans must be resentful of punishment.

The supporters are behind the team, Townsend said, “It’s great to know that the atmosphere that was created in the New Zealand game and the atmosphere when Argentina scored and Flower of Scotland was ringing out.” They’re very disappointed that we didn’t win, like we are.

“We don’t have the right to defeat every team in the world, but we do think we can.” With what we have, our players and supporters can reasonably expect to defeat the best teams in the world.

Scotland can take on the best in the world for passages of games for sure, but their win record against teams sitting above them in the rankings has been dismal for an age. They are currently ninth in the world, having just finished fifth just before the previous World Cup. In contrast to Townsend’s adage of being competitive, they are losing ground on winning games.

How does he explain the drop-offs, the moments in time that saw New Zealand and Argentina win, the passages in recent seasons that saw Italy roaring back from a big deficit and beating Scotland and that saw Wales, in 2024 and 2025, scare the life out of Townsend’s team despite being miles behind on the scoreboard?

His response is, “That’s rugby, that’s sport.” “Look at New Zealand,” During 20-30 minutes against us they didn’t hardly touch the ball. Argentina were down 1 point.

The best teams then, in essence, do that. What we need to do is when that momentum does start to go in the favour of the opposition, we have to find ways to get it back. “

But how long can he keep pounding the drum? Yes, Scotland eventually outlasted New Zealand for a while, and Argentina once more got the better of them early. Both of them still won, which is really all that matters. Despite Townsend’s efforts to instill that winning mindset, Scotland still lacks it. A ruinous softness is still present.

Is he expecting a review of his own performance at the end of the autumn”? He said, “I don’t know,” You’d have to ask someone else about it, but we review every campaign.

In the final confrontation before their lightweight fight at UFC Qatar on Saturday, Arman Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker.

The winner hopes to defend her title against reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the next round of verbal exchanges.

Tsarukyan aimed a headbutt at Hooker as the New Zealanderer fumbled and bounced in front of him as the two men were gaining weight on Friday.

Hooker appeared content, smiling and laughing as the security personnel rushed in to break the fighters’ hold.

Hooker said on stage, “Let’s go, I love it – bring it on.”

Tsarukyan, 29, is the division’s top-ranked lightweight, but he might be beaten out if he wins.

Topuria might face Canadian Paddy Pimblett or American Justin Gaethje in a more advantageous position.

Despite not having fought since April, Pimblett moved up the rankings to fifth this week.

Tsarukyan’s title fight against Islam Makhachev, who defeated him in the previous fight due to a back injury, was his first since recovering.

Tsarukyan said, “I will show great knockout and will win my title next.”

Ian Machado Garry, who lost to Belal Muhammad in the previous fight at welterweight, also gained weight.

In the final confrontation before their lightweight fight at UFC Qatar on Saturday, Arman Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker.

The winner hopes to defend her title against reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the next round of verbal exchanges.

Tsarukyan aimed a headbutt at Hooker as the New Zealanderer fumbled and bounced in front of him as the two men were gaining weight on Friday.

Hooker appeared content, smiling and laughing as the security personnel rushed in to break the fighters’ hold.

Hooker said on stage, “Let’s go, I love it – bring it on.”

Tsarukyan, 29, is the division’s top-ranked lightweight, but he might be beaten out if he wins.

Topuria might face Canadian Paddy Pimblett or American Justin Gaethje in a more advantageous position.

Despite not having fought since April, Pimblett moved up the rankings to fifth this week.

Tsarukyan’s title fight against Islam Makhachev, who defeated him in the previous fight due to a back injury, was his first since recovering.

Tsarukyan said, “I will show great knockout and will win my title next.”

Ian Machado Garry, who lost to Belal Muhammad in the previous fight at welterweight, also gained weight.

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium Kickoff Time: 17:40 GMT on Saturday, November 22

Despite South Africa’s dominance of the international team of their time, Rassie Erasmus’ side still has a box unlocked.

The world’s No. 1 team has won both the World Cup and the Rugby Championship in successive years, hoovering up silverware.

The well-known Springboks have won Test matches all over the world, including winning the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama and Paris.

While naturally receiving the most attention when they lost to New Zealand in Wellington this summer, their record in the northern hemisphere reads played six, won six, and won away victories against all but one of the Six Nations teams.

The only exception is Ireland, who play South Africa at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Only Eben Etzebeth, South Africa’s most-capped player, was a member of the XV that will play in Dublin on Saturday when they last won a Test there in 2012.

The intimidating lock noted that this was the fixture that jumped out of a busy schedule when his team arrived in Ireland for the fourth of their five autumn tests.

He said, “We’re excited because this fixture definitely stood out when we received the calendar at the beginning of the year.”

Eight years ago, Ireland won four of its previous five meetings, including a pool-stage World Cup match at the Stade de France in 2023, with the exception of one in Dublin and one in Durban.

Many people are starting to wonder whether there is a growing animosity between Ireland and South Africa as a result of their performances in the match.

Rob Herring, a South African-born hooker from Ireland and the owner of 43 caps, claimed this week on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast that the Irish team have a “arrogance” back home.

The 35-year-old, who missed out on squad selection this month, said, “There’s obviously a bit of a rivalry there, and the media are building it up quite a bit.”

“The Irish are haughty, in my opinion, and many of the South African fans and my friends.” The media is doing their thing, not the players, that is.

The rivalry is present because the games were so close, he says.

Another way to reject the idea of a grudge match that surpasses any other was through South Africa and Bath prop Thomas du Toit, who had a brief spell with Munster between 2016 and 2017.

We don’t see it that way, he said, but the media and perhaps the newspapers would like to say that.

“We’ve really taken every match, put it in its own box, and not thought too much about the past,” I believe what we’ve done well in the last few months.

Regardless of the motivation, both parties find this to be a challenging game.

With Wales still to come next week, signing off with another clean sweep in November after winning the Rugby Championship would be a ominous sign for those hoping to wrest control of Australia’s fate as the year of their control turns to Australia 2027.

A win in Dublin would undoubtedly put an end to the wait for Erasmus to have a “great season.”

The head coach said, “We never, I thought, played always brilliant rugby, but there were times when we played terrible rugby.”

“So it would be great if we played really well in this game and played to our standards,” he said.

There isn’t much to choose between the two teams, according to the last five results. You would love to win this game, therefore, yes. We would love to say “yes, we had a great season, we beat Ireland in Dublin,” something we haven’t done since I’ve been involved.

The hosts are probably more desperate for victory. The autumn has been uneven since their large British and Irish Lions contingent and spring defeat to France in the Six Nations tournament in the spring have been disappointing.

Their best performance to date came against an admittedly tiring Australia last week, which they were deservingly defeated by New Zealand in Chicago before an unconvincing win over Japan back in Dublin.

With no wins and six losses in their past nine games against the other top five teams, Ireland would be placed fourth in the world, just below England, which would dispel any doubts about an aging squad that had fallen significantly short of their 2023 peak.

The perception of the autumn may depend on Saturday’s performance, according to skipper Caelan Doris, while hooker Dan Sheehan described their final game of the year as a “great measure” of Ireland’s current state.

Even Farrell once called the game a “litmus test” for his team’s current level because he rarely engages in black and white interpretations of performances and outcomes.

The head coach said, “We’ll learn, but we’re trying to prove to ourselves that we’re going forward and that this will be the litmus test for where we are.”

In the weeks leading up to the Six Nations, “Yes, that’s going to pique people’s minds.”

Matteo Berrettini took two-time defending champions Italy to the brink of a third consecutive Davis Cup final with a commanding straight-set victory over Belgium’s Raphael Collignon.

Backed by a passionate, sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans in Bologna, Berrettini overcame Collignon’s second-set resistance as he powered to a 6-3 6-4 win.

Italy would become the first nation to reach three straight Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001, if Flavio Cobolli can win his singles match against Zizou Bergs.

Despite the absence of the nation’s top two men’s singles players in world number two Jannik Sinner and the eighth-ranked Lorenzo Musetti, Italy are seeking to become the first nation to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles for 53 years.

Sinner, a key member of the Italian team which triumphed at the past two editions, elected to maximise his recovery during the sport’s brief six-week off-season after triumphing at last week’s ATP Finals.

The presence of just one of the top 10 men’s players at this year’s event has prompted discussion over the tournament’s future format.

But, after Berrettini and Cobolli starred for Italy in their quarter-final against Austria, both players spoke about the privilege they feel in competing for their nation at the Finals.

Berrettini maintained momentum from his opening straight-set win as he clinched an early break of serve and would not be caught after racing into a 3-0 lead.

The former Wimbledon runner-up, ranked 56th in the world, then broke immediately in set two after Collignon double-faulted twice.

However, his charge to the finish was slowed when Collignon took his first opportunity to level at 2-2 – and the Belgian was denied a fourth-straight game when Berrettini landed a sensational cross-court forehand to shut down another break point two games later.

But Berrettini would not lose his grip on the contest after reasserting himself with another break, serving out for his 10th consecutive singles win when playing for his country.

Speaking post-match, Berrettini said: “Pressure is a privilege. Obviously I feel the pressure, but you’re playing in front of your home country, my whole family is here, we are all great friends in our team.