Scotland showcase potential to chase Six Nations title and end pain against Ireland

Analysis: Gregor Townsend knows how quickly hope can turn to despair but their performance against France could spur them on to greater heights

MORE TO COME?: Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu celebrates with The Auld Alliance Trophy and team-mates after the Guinness Men's Six Nations match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. Pic: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

The feeling that Scotland might just have the hang of this winning thing continues to build. Playing dazzling rugby every now and then has never been a problem. Meaningful wins? Harder to come by.

Perhaps the most entertaining part of the extraordinary win against France – and there were, how to put this, quite a few of those – was watching the resolutely unmoved disposition of Gregor Townsend. As if it was no big deal. Seven tries and 50 points against the red‑hot favourites for the title. All in a day’s work.