Gregor Townsend likes an adventurous selection – “Toonie Tombola”, when he would find ever more unlikely ways to fashion a team different to his last, was a favourite feature of his days at Glasgow.
Finn Russell’s exit from Scotstoun was supposed to be in glory, basking in the applause of the 10,000 fans at the Guinness PRO14 semi-final on Friday, many of them the new Warriors faithful he did a great deal to create.
Scotland hooker Scott Lawson will retire from playing after a distinguished career both sides of the border at the end of the season and will be the new Director of Rugby at the University of St Andrews.
Gregor Townsend’s mind fluctuated briefly but he stuck to his plan to give a whole swathe of experienced players the summer off and only two players over 30 years of age will tour with Scotland to Canada, the USA and Argentina in June.
Jamie Bhatti has agreed a new deal to stay another season at the Glasgow Warriors after a “whirlwind” first full professional season.
Darryl Marfo’s rollercoaster first season at Edinburgh is on the upward trajectory again as the surprise Scotland prop aims to play a full part in Edinburgh exciting season finale.
The best sign for Scotland from a traumatic afternoon in Rome – and the underlining mark of this 6 Nations for them - was that they won a game in a manner no-one thought they were capable of.
Not even an unwelcome intervention from the stadium announcer midway through his run-up could bother ice-cool Greig Laidlaw as he kicked Scotland back from the brink in Rome.
Gregor Townsend is only “slightly satisfied” with his first 6 Nations campaign in charge of Scotland and feels the squad have far more to give going forward.
Greig Laidlaw dragged Scotland back from defeat twice in one afternoon in Rome with his last-gasp penalty finally edging the contest against the unlucky Italians.