DAVID SOLE

In many respects, it’s hard to assess whether Scotland’s Six Nations campaign was a success, a failure or just as expected this year.

At times there was brilliance, at times you were left holding your head in your hands and at other times it was hard to decide one way or another.

Overall, until the final match of the tournament, it had been a pretty uninspiring event.

The All Blacks and Springboks would have been reassured that there isn’t much threat at the World Cup from the Northern Hemisphere.

But the last game shone a light over the whole tournament, such was its nature and excitement.

Of course, Scotland had been hamstrung by injuries.

That Stuart Hogg was excluded after the second match clearly hurt Scotland, such is his influence and impact on games and it didn’t help that Finn Russell also missed a game.

Scotland’s strength in depth was sorely tested in the back row and midfield which didn’t help Gregor Townsend.

What seemed to be really absent however was a mental toughness and ruthlessness from the players.

In match terms this translates into really capitalising on great positions in games – the final quarter of the Italian match; just before half time against Ireland and the final minutes of the

‘ Our World Cup match against Ireland doesn’t look so daunting now”

match against England being three examples where Scotland could not put teams to the sword.

Whether that is down to a lack of leadership or inexperience – or both – is a moot point, but these were defining moments in the games which other sides would not have passed by.

Scotland missed some golden opportunities. They should have beaten Ireland and their second-half performances against Wales and England were outstanding – yet they could not hold onto defeat England in that historic match last weekend – something the players will live to regret.

Yet the team was far from full strength.

Gregor Townsend will have learnt that some of his players are definitely of international class – Magnus Bradbury and Sam Johnson to name two. But why was Johnson dropped against Wales?

This was another contradictory selection that Townsend got wrong, along with leaving Hamish Watson on the bench rather than start him when he had returned to full fitness.

It is not the first time that the coach has made some selection choices which didn’t work out well.

Overall I don’t think Scotland have progressed, but equally I don’t think they have regressed either.

Getting the team fully fit for the World Cup is key, but the first match against Ireland doesn’t look quite as daunting as it did this time last year.