Gregor Townsend dismisses talk of stepping down after Scotland’s defeat to Italy

Scotland lost 18-15 to Italy in Rome in their opening game of the Six Nations

Gregor Townsend flatly denied that speculation that he was set to take charge of Newcastle next year. Pic: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Under-fire head coach Gregor Townsend dismissed any notion that he would step down after Scotland suffered a disastrous Guinness Six Nations start by losing 18-15 to Italy in rain-lashed Rome.

This setback in the Eternal City, which all but ends the Scots’ hopes of contending for the championship after matchday one, sparked renewed calls for the long-serving 52-year-old to quit or be sacked.