Pep talk boost for upbeat Gregor

GREGOR Townsend lifted the lid on his meeting with Pep Guardiola as he put the finishing touches on Scotland’s bid for NatWest 6 Nations glory.

Scotland rugby head coach Townsend spent a day with Manchester City in December to run the rule over the coaching style of the Premier League’s top boss.

Now he hopes to implement some of Guardiola’s philosophy when the Scots open their campaign against Wales at the Principality Stadium next Saturday.

“The biggest thing about meeting Pep was seeing a coach so passionate about the details of coaching,” said Townsend.

“It’s about how to bring the best out of players, not tactics and the bigger picture, more about the details of how he gets his game over. He was so excited about it.

“He talked a lot about rugby as well, he loves rugby, and how you have to look forward because we pass the ball back. That’s a great philosophy that he feels applies to football.

“He didn’t say who he would be backing but he did get a signed Scotland jersey. He was pleased with that so, hopefully, he’ll have one eye on Scotland.”

Scotland have not won the title since 1999, the year before Italy joined what was previously the Five Nations.

However, their form in the autumn, with a win over Samoa, a defeat by New Zealand and a record-breaking victory over Australia, has raised expectations of a potential first Six Nations success.

“It’s quite good, no one can take away from us winning the last ever Five Nations,” Townsend said.

“However, it shows what a tough event it is, the last three winners have been Wales, Ireland and England. When I played, the teams dominating the game were England and France.”