Scotland's head coach and captain react to the draw

Gregor Townsend, head coach

On having played all three Pool D opponents (Ireland, Uruguay and Portugal) in the last two years: 

"It should help, especially with Uruguay and Portugal, who we wouldn’t have otherwise played outside of those last 12 months. We realised what a quality side Uruguay were when we took them on last year. That was a tight game; we had a strong team out as well. They’ve had some good results over the past month, beating Portugal, and they’re a growing team.

"With Portugal, we saw how well they played in the last World Cup, beating Fiji. I think both teams want to play rugby, so they’ll be open games, which are good for supporters."

On how much of an indicator the next two Six Nations games against Ireland will be in whether Scotland can top the pool: 

"It would help massively if we got on the right side of the result for a change. Going to Dublin for the last game of next year’s championship will be tough, but we played really well last time we were out there. But it’ll be a more difficult World Cup if we haven’t managed to beat Ireland in the next two seasons." 

On being the first coach to take Scotland to three Rugby World Cups:

"I’ve never thought about that. The important thing is to do as well as one can in the World Cup. The team has been building, and we now have depth that can see through the challenge of a World Cup in terms of injuries and rotation. So the most important thing is doing much better than we did these last two World Cups. 

On having played Scotland’s only previous World Cup fixture against Uruguay in 1999, where he also scored a try: 

"I didn’t even know that at all. The memories from that World Cup just show you how much things have changed in both rugby and Scottish rugby. We were struggling to get more than 10 or 15,000 at that World Cup. I remember it being quite an empty stadium against Uruguay, and against Samoa in a quarter-final play-off, I think only 15,000 were at that game. So the game has changed, and international rugby is thriving. It was a tough game, though. I also remember Spain and Uruguay playing against each other at my club in Gala. 

Sione Tuipulotu, captain
 
On facing Ireland for a third consecutive World Cup: 

"Yeah, three times in a row now. They’ve been a hurdle we’ve struggled to get over and it’s something we’re going to have to get over in the Six Nations. Some of our players took a lot from the experience of the Lions, with a lot of their (Ireland) coaches and players there. I consider some of the Irish boys my friends now, and there’s no one you want to beat more than your friends."

On how the Rugby World Cup 2023 loss to Ireland will be used as a driving force: 

"It’s all about the journey now. You’re going into a World Cup to show everything you’ve learned over the last cycle, so it’s right there for us as a group to have our best World Cup ever. 

On the labels surrounding Scotland’s mentality: 

"I’ve seen the growth inside the walls but there’s nothing I can get up here and say that’s going to make anyone believe me until we do it (beating Ireland). I’m done talking about Glasgow succeeding, or what type of players we have, or the ‘Golden Generation’." 

On having Gregor Townsend as his only head coach for Scotland: 

"I’ve loved it, I've only gained more trust for him as a coach in that time. Having that continuity as a player is always good, and going through the hard times with the same coach makes it more enjoyable when the good times happen. All I want for Gregor now is to have a good Six Nations - we owe it to him. I want to take accountability for the playing group and how we’re responsible for both the victories and losses."