Why Inconsistency Has Been Scotland's Biggest Disappointment of RBS 6 Nations

Scotland’s 20-36 victory in Rome against Italy last Saturday was their first in the 2016 RBS Six Nations. But for a team with a world-class coach in Vern Cotter—and one that was moments and a controversial refereeing decision away from a Rugby World Cup semi-final in 2015—Scotland are not fulfilling their potential.

The Scots’ problem so far this Six Nations is straightforward: inconsistency.

Scotland lost their opening Six Nations fixture 9-15 against England, and the most disappointing part of the result for the Scotland fans was that they were no worse than England except for the cutting edge in the final stages of attack.

RBS Six Nations Matchcentre stats show that Scotland dominated all of the key indicators other than turnovers and tries. Poor weather conditions at Murrayfield stifled Scotland’s play, but England still managed two tries.

Cotter’s post-match comments only cemented the what-if feeling that has been around Scottish rugby for a decade. As per Iain Morrison of the Scotsman, the stoical Kiwi mused:

"

I think there was progress but we are frustrated and not particularly happy with our performance. We still need to be focused and show total concentration. Games at this level are tight affairs. We have to take it on the chin.

We have ways to get about the park and put teams under pressure. We managed to do that at times but we did not hold the pressure on for long enough.

It is disappointing not to score a try. There is more frustration than anything else because I know there is so much more that can come out of this side.

"

Scotland were much improved under the roof in Cardiff, offering significantly more in attack on Matchday 2, despite losing to Wales 27-23. But the Wales match also showcased Scotland’s inconsistency.

In particular, Finn Russell’s unpredictability from the key decision-making position of fly-half undergirds many of the team’s problems. A creative pivot one day, Russell is a liability the next.

Still, the Scotsman’s match report summed up an encouraging but fruitless performance at the Principality Stadium:

"

Scotland’s afternoon turned to ashes inside the space of just four minutes. It was cruel finale for the visitors but no one claims that elite sport has a heart.

The Scots will be wondering what they might have achieved had they produced this performance against England.

"

Similarly, after the Wales match, the BBC’s Tom English concluded: "This team is trapped in no-man's land. They're stuck in a place between the pitiful dog-days of old and a proper new dawn. They can see the light, but they just can't reach it. And it's excruciating."

Scotland got their much-needed win in Rome on Matchday 3 but were very reliant on Italy’s failings. The Azzurri scrum in particular is a lamentable imitation of its traditional strength, and Scotland twice let Italy back into the match after they gained a margin of comfort.

For instance, with five minutes remaining and Scotland leading 29-20, WP Nel’s needless yellow card (Scotland’s second of the second half) for a deliberate knock-on provided Italy with an opportunity that was unnecessarily conceded. As it was, an Italian handling error saved Scotland from a tough end to the match.

But then, with three minutes to go, Scotland gave a reminder of their talents (and inconsistency) with a Tommy Seymour try created by a delightful one-handed pass from Stuart Hogg.

Scotland should be doing much better than this. In Vern Cotter, they have one of the premier coaches in the world. The straight-talking New Zealander won the Top 14 with Clermont Auvergne as head coach and two Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders as forwards coach.

Scotland’s performance at last year’s World Cup showed what the team can do, but to challenge for titles, they need to back up good displays with positive results. Otherwise, despite flurries of excitement, they will continue to languish towards the bottom of the Six Nations table.