For Scotland, 2025 produced much of the same frustrations. Great hope extinguished by inconsistent displays and costly missed chances. Gregor Townsend’s charges beat Italy and Wales comfortably (for the most part) at home in the championship, but against more difficult opposition lost their other three fixtures to finish fourth again – the fifth time they have done so in six seasons.
Ireland travelled to Murrayfield and dominated Scotland yet again, winning 32-18 for an 11th successive Test victory against the Scots, while only the men in blue will know how they failed to beat England at Twickenham in an understandably infuriating 16-15 defeat.
Their campaign finished out by providing eventual title-winners France a challenge in Paris, but not much more as Les Bleus kicked on to win.In 2026, Scotland host England and France in Edinburgh, however, and avoid Ireland in Dublin until the final weekend. Could this finally be their year?
Here, we take a closer look at how Scotland are shaping up ahead of their opening home match of 2026 against Italy in Rome…
FixturesItaly – Stadio Olimpico – Saturday February 7 – 2.10pm (GMT)England – Murrayfield – Saturday February 14 – 4.40pm (GMT)Wales – Principality Stadium – Saturday February 21 – 4.40pm (GMT)France – Murrayfield – Saturday March 7 – 2.10pm (GMT)Ireland – Aviva Stadium – Saturday March 14 – 2.10pm (GMT)What’s changed?Having missed the 2025 Six Nations campaign due to a pectoral injury, outstanding centre Sione Tuipulotu returns to captain the side.
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Captain and key midfielder Sione Tuipulotu missed the 2025 Six Nations through injury, but is fit this time around
There are also recalls to the squad for lock Jonny Gray and hooker Dave Cherry, with both having been left out of Scotland’s disappointing autumn.Speaking of November, Scotland’s best chance in a long, long time – perhaps ever – to earn a maiden Test victory over New Zealand came and went as they came from 17-0 down to level at 17-17 and then faced an All Blacks side shorn a player for 10 of the final 18 minutes.Scotland could not score against 14, though, and instead ended up losing the game late on.Townsend’s side then also managed to suffer defeat from the jaws of victory by remarkably surrendering a 21-0 lead to lose 33-24 to Argentina at home, where the hosts were booed off.
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2026-01-28 06:00:00
