Six Nations 2024: Scotland team profile

Finishing the best of the rest behind Ireland and France last year represented a solid Six Nations for Scotland and they will be hoping they can narrow the gap on the frontrunners even more in 2024.

The Scots are yet to get their hands on the Six Nations trophy and once again the competition's dark horses will need to find consistency if they are to cause a shock this season.

Scotland: 2024 Six Nations squad

Forwards

Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Andy Christie, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Alec Hepburn, Will Hurd, Johnny Matthews, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Sam Skinner, George Turner, Glen Young.

Backs 

Adam Hastings, Ben Healy, George Horne, Darcy Graham, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Harry Paterson, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Arron Reed, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.

Scotland: Head coach and captain

Head coach

After committing his future to Scotland last summer ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Gregor Townsend will be determined to show why he’s still the right man for the job at Murrayfield. 

Taking on the national job back in 2017, the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions fly-half has helped his country pick up some big one-off wins. 

Ending waits for wins in London and Paris in 2021 were big achievements from Townsend’s side but still the wait for a Six Nations title continues.

Captain

On naming his 2024 Six Nations squad, Townsend decided against confirming a captain for the competition. Jamie Ritchie has been Scotland’s skipper of late but competition in the back-row means the Edinburgh flanker might not be guaranteed a starting role. 

Finn Russell captained Scotland over the summer in a pre-World Cup win over France and, with his starting role at fly-half assured if fit, the Bath star could be handed the armband for the coming campaign.

Scotland: Key players

Finn Russell

Scotland’s creative spark in the No.10 jersey, Russell is regarded as one of the best fly-halves in the game. 

The 31-year-old has been outstanding in his new surroundings at Bath this season and Scotland supporters will be hoping he can transfer that form and confidence to the national side over the coming weeks. 

Duhan van der Merwe 

Scorer of one of the great Six Nations tries in a 29-23 win at Twickenham last year, Duhan van der Merwe is a frightening presence out on the wing. 

With his ability to go around defenders or over them, the Edinburgh star will be hoping for another big tournament. 

Rory Darge 

Scotland have a rich history of producing great back-rowers and Rory Darge is another one off the production line. 

Brave at the breakdown and also a threat with ball in hand, there is plenty of excitement on the potential of the 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors star.

Scotland: 2024 Six Nations expectations

Scotland have shown they are capable of beating any side in the Six Nations on their day but it has been getting the consistency from week to week that has been the issue. 

The Scots take on a new-look Wales side in Cardiff in their opening game and if they can get a result at the Principality, which has been far from easy over the years, then perhaps they have a shot at the title. 

England and France must both go to Murrayfield this year, while Scotland also have a trip to Rome to face Italy. 

Finishing third would arguably be the bare minimum required from Scottish fans, while a win in Cardiff would see hopes raised, but not for the first time.

Scotland: Six Nations history

Scotland’s last major silverware was the 1999 Five Nations title, the year before Italy joined the competition to create the Six Nations. 

The Scots struggled with the adaptation to the professional game in the 90s and paid the price after the turn of the millennia with some woeful campaigns. 

Scotland have been on the up in more recent years, as their successes in the Calcutta Cup against oldest rivals England have highlighted.

Year	Position	Notable Achievements
2013	3rd	N/A
2014	5th	N/A
2015	6th	N/A
2016	4th	N/A
2017	4th	N/A
2018	3rd	Won Calcutta Cup
2019	5th	Retained Calcutta Cup
2020	4th	N/A
2021	4th	Won Calcutta Cup
2022	4th	Won Calcutta Cup
2023	3rd	Won Calcutta Cup

Scotland: Form & odds

The World Cup in France went as expected, with Scotland failing to get out of a pool that included Grand Slam champions Ireland and eventual winners South Africa. 

Now Scotland have the challenge of trying to chase down the Irish and French in the Six Nations, while keeping ahead of the likes of England, Wales and Italy. 

Scotland are 14/1 to win the 2024 Six Nations and 40/1 to win the Grand Slam. 

The Scots are 16/1 to win the Triple Crown, while they are 13/2 to claim the unenviable Wooden Spoon this year.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.