Time for Scots to 'stop talking and start doing'

There has been a noticeable absence of hype around Scotland heading into the Six Nations.

No talk of a golden generation, of how they are ready to take the next step or how this is the year to finally get their hands on some silverware.

In fairness, most of that chat in recent years has come from outside the camp - and yet it has still been thrown back at the coaches and players when Scotland fail to meet those expectations.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu spoke this week about the need to go into every tournament believing you can win it but added that the Scots had little right to consider themselves among the favourites.

The "arrogant Scots" charge bandied around by some mischief makers on mainstream and social media is laughably wide of the mark.

And, if there was ever any hint of the Scottish players getting ideas above their station, a chastening autumn series and those haunting defeats to the All Blacks and Argentina have grounded them firmly in reality as they prepare for the Six Nations opener against Italy on 7 February.

As Scotland wing Kyle Steyn told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast: "I think we fully understand the way the Scottish people are feeling, their frustration and their lack of hope in what we've said in campaigns gone past.

"There isn't much hope or trust in what we said and that's fair enough. I think we're fairly honest about the fact that we haven't backed that up enough and consistently and on the big occasions.

"So that's why there were really good conversations in that autumn after a really raw defeat to Argentina. I think we're just adamant to not forget what we spoke about then, to kind of confront how we were feeling then and just take that into Rome.

"It's all eyes on Rome now. That's going to be the real first chance that we get to show that we can act on what we say and, fair enough to the people of Scotland, it's time for us to stop talking and start doing."

Steyn missed the 2025 Six Nations through injury but is now flying for Glasgow Warriors, captaining a side who are making waves both domestically in the United Rugby Championship and in the Champions Cup.

For years, the Warriors captain played the role of reliable deputy as Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe locked down the Scotland wing spots and embarked on a two-man race to be Scotland's record try-scorer (Van der Merwe currently leads that battle 35-34).

Such has been the level Steyn has been operating at this season, he has left both those men in another personal battle - who starts alongside him? Having usurped Van der Merwe in the pecking order in November, it now appears likely it will be Steyn plus one at the Stadio Olimpico.

"There's always been massive competition between the three of us," he said. "To be fair to them, the things they've done when they have been in the Scotland jersey, they fully deserve the opportunities they've got.

"I think it's just been a matter of chipping away and just enjoying it when I have got the shot.

"When you do get a shot, it makes you hungrier and then you go back to club and that's why it's just so nice to get a run of games, because it just feels like you can get into a really good rhythm and really put your best foot forward.

"The past couple of years, I've had lengthy spells on the sidelines this time of year, so just buzzing to be involved.

"When you're sitting in the stands and you hear the music of the boys running out at Murrayfield and it kind of triggers all those memories, you definitely try and remember that, when you come back, remember what you felt when you were in the stands and how badly you wanted to be back."