Scotland could be Six Nations bolters

Wing Maitland started in all three of Scotland's year-end Tests, scoring a try in two games as Argentina and Georgia were put to the sword.

And while their November campaign started with a defeat at Murrayfield against Australia, there were plenty of positives to take away as the Wallabies snuck home 23-22 for the narrowest of wins.

However, Scotland have been here before as they lost by the same margin in their 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal with Australia – on that occasion going down 34-35 at Twickenham – and struggled to build on that promise early on in the 2016 Six Nations as Maitland and co finished fourth.

But with this year's Championship seeing Ireland, Wales and Italy come to Murrayfield, Saracens speedster Maitland insists hopes are high in the Scotland camp ahead of their opening clash with the former on February 4.

"The Six Nations is going to be very exciting and it looks very open as well," Maitland told The Rugby Paper.

"England have won 14 on the bounce and will be favourites, but our performances during November have shown we are in a decent place right now, and are capable of doing well in the Six Nations.

"If we could get a win in the opening game then it would certainly set us up for the rest of the Championship.

"Wales and Italy also come to BT Murrayfield so to have three home games should benefit us."

Source: @SixNationsRugby