Why Scotland’s Cardiff collapse was a blessing in disguise for their Six Nations hopes

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. That seems to have been the question following the Scotland rugby team around for the last half-decade or so as a talented squad looks to finally mount a genuine Six Nations title challenge for the very first time. open image in gallery Duhan van der Merwe scored two tries for Scotland, including a stunning solo second That rare piece of brutal post-match honesty from their captain will have served his team well. “I’ve played in games with Scotland like that when we have lost, and that was the most pleasing thing, that we managed to find a way to win even though momentum, the crowd, everything was against us towards the end.” In fact, the Cardiff collapse was a blessing in disguise for Scotland and probably the best thing that could have happened for their Six Nations hopes. I feel it’s not a bad place to be, to feel a little bit disappointed despite winning in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years.” open image in gallery Finn Russell guided Scotland to success against Wales but criticised his team for complacency A wounded France, coming off a Marseille humiliation at the hands of Ireland, will bring a ruthless intensity from minute one but, as Gilchrist intimates, Scotland are now a wounded animal themselves after that second-half meltdown and will have no problem matching the French energy.