'I was a coach again': Townsend after surviving litmus test against England
REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said he had become a fan again after a barnstorming 31-20 Calcutta Cup win at Murrayfield on Saturday ended England’s 12-game winning streak.
Townsend’s men arrived in Edinburgh following a dispiriting 15-18 loss away to Italy in their Six Nations opener – a defeat that raised fresh questions about their ability to cope with adversity.
But Scotland ran in four tries on Saturday as they scuppered England’s hopes of a Grand Slam.
Scotland centre Huw Jones twice crossed England’s line to make it eight tries in eight Tests against the Auld Enemy, the centre’s double coming each side of scores from Jamie Ritchie and Ben White.
Henry Arundell hit back for England but only in between receiving two yellow cards in the first half – which led to a 20-minute red – before a late consolation try from Ben Earl.
“I’m so proud,” Townsend told reporters after Scotland’s fifth win in six Tests against England.
“Being a supporter, seeing the rugby that the players were playing, I had to realise I was a coach again, and I snapped out of it quite quickly.”
‘Purpose in life’
It was a superb way for Scotland to mark Townsend’s 100th match as their coach, with the 52-year-old former playmaker’s position already called into question prior to the Italy defeat, after by November’s spectacular loss at home to Argentina, where his side somehow squandered a 21-0 lead.
“These are the emotions that make you realise that coaching, and still being involved in the game is hugely rewarding, gives you massive purpose in your life and why you do it,” said Townsend.
“But it’s the players that drive our performance.”
Townsend, reflecting on the fall-out from losing to the Los Pumas, added: “The negativity from people in this room [the media] around what happened against Argentina, experiences like that make you stronger.”
Townsend revealed that Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie and Ritchie all suffered potentially “serious” injuries that could impact their participation in the remainder of the championship.
