Six Nations: Grant Gilchrist admits Scotland 'devastated' by Italy defeat but won't 'shy away from pressure'
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Published 13/03/2024 at 18:20 GMT
Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist is urging his team-mates to thrive under the pressure of their Six Nations clash against Ireland this weekend. Gregor Townsend's side are looking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Italy. That result ended their hopes of winning the title for the first time since 1999, and Gilchrist admits the "devastating loss" took a few days to get over.
Grant Gilchrist of Scotland looks on as his team concede a penalty during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between Italy and Scotland.
Image credit: Getty Images
Grant Gilchrist admits Scotland have had to do a lot of soul searching after their shock Six Nations defeat to Italy.
Gregor Townsend's side were beaten 31-29 in Rome last weekend, as their hosts ended an 11-year wait for a home win in the Championships.
That has dampened the mood around the camp, after a Calcutta Cup defeat of England had raised the prospect of winning the title for the first time since 1999.
They currently sit in third, with two victories from four fixtures, but Gilchrist insists it has still been a good tournament for the nation.
"In the immediacy, it was a dark couple of days,” he said of the loss to Italy. "No one cares more than the guys in that changing room and we’re devastated with how the game went and the opportunity we let slip by.
"It’s not a case of being able to move on too quickly but we had a really good day on Monday going through it and players taking a lot more responsibility.
"It was on us to look at solutions and come up with a plan so that we could put it behind us and it was great to get out on the grass on Tuesday and start putting things in place for what’s going to be...well there’s no bigger challenge.
"Through our own play we’ve set the bar a lot higher than any other Scotland team that I’ve ever been part of and that pressure is a privilege.
"It’s a privilege to wear the jersey, it’s a privilege to play in a team that’s good enough to be expecting to get huge results and to win all these big games.
"We’re not going to shy away from pressure. Pressure comes with big games and big moments and that’s why we play the game."
Scotland's defeat to Italy left the door open for Ireland to wrap up the Six Nations crown last week, only to suffer a sensational 23-22 defeat to England at Twickenham.
That title should be secured in Dublin this weekend though, where the hosts do not even need a victory to defend the title they lifted last year.
They currently sit top of the table, four points clear of England, but have a significantly superior points difference, so would seal first place by securing a bonus point, which is earned by either scoring four or more tries or losing by fewer than seven points.
And Gilchrist admits that means Andy Farrell's side will pose a formidable test.
"With their home record, you can’t pick a tougher test but that’s a huge excitement for us," he continued.
"We know we’re going to have to be at our very best but that’s what we strive to be anyway. We need to embrace the pressure, embrace the challenge – I don’t think there’s any bigger challenge – and go out and deliver a performance."
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