Gregor Townsend hails Scotland for showing ‘true identity' in victory over Samoa
Scotland opened their tour with victory over the Maori All Blacks in New Zealand but were on the end of an ill-disciplined 29-14 defeat by Fiji in Suva last weekend.
Rounding off the Skyscanner Pacific Tour with a win 🏴#AsOne pic.twitter.com/lxvFzAEtrU
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 18, 2025
That result was a major blow for Scotland's aspirations of breaking into the top seeds ahead of the World Cup draw in December, but Townsend's side reacted in the best way possible to finish the season on a high.
'It was hugely important,' Townsend said. 'You rise to a challenge and you show your true identity when you've got that challenge of backing up a defeat and the players showed that.
'The way they came together during the week with just a six-day turnaround and one training session, they were really aligned and focused on delivering a better performance and they did that.'
Scotland quickly got on top through tries from Lions-bound Ewan Ashman and Rory Hutchinson in the opening 13 minutes and were always in control of the game.
Arron Reed, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner all crossed with the Samoans grabbing two second-half tries of their own.
Townsend said: 'We had to defend really well at the beginning of the game. I thought Samoa brought a lot from their attack. They were direct, they were physical and they moved the ball well to the wide channels.
'So that set us up really well for us to move the ball when we had it. I thought we were really clinical in the 22, through our forwards mainly, with the mall, but also the direct carrying.
'And then just some really good skills to score tries and give us that cushion going into half-time.
'That would be close to how well the team played against the Maori. This game was more physical.
'It's been a really enjoyable tour, so it's important we finish with a top performance.'
Townsend hailed scrum-half Jamie Dobie, who was involved in the build-up to several tries, but was stopped just short of the line himself and delivered some important defensive interventions.
Introducing Scotland cap #1236, Fin Richardson 🧢#AsOne pic.twitter.com/MuO190r0XD
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 18, 2025
'Jamie was great,' he added. 'He was battling with cramp near the end, but for him to go from nine to wing and play equally as well….
'I thought Gregor Brown was outstanding, came back from injury and then getting another injury in our first game on tour. Grant Gilchrist going 80 minutes again and Fin Richardson in his first cap, showing real energy.
'And it was really pleasing to see our scrum and our line-up maul being dominant. It's something we've spent a lot of time working on. The players have really worked hard and we have had our rewards in that area on this tour.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England WIN Euro 2025 as familiar hero gives Lionesses penalty shootout win over Spain
England are back-to-back European champions after a sensational penalty shoot-out win against Spain. Chloe Kelly, the Lionesses saviour throughout the knockout stages, stepped up to score the winning spot-kick and send the Lionesses ' fans wild. After needing spot-kicks to see off Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 and seeing their semi against Italy settled in extra-time, Sarina Wiegman 's side went the distance for a third time. There was yet more shoot-out drama in Basel, and it felt inevitable that Kelly would win it all. Beth Mead saw a twice-taken penalty saved by Cata Coll, but Hannah Hampton denied Mariona Aitana Bonmati - only for Coll to produce a huge stop from Leah Williamson. Salma Paralluelo sent her kick wide, though, and Kelly blasted England to the title, handing Wiegman her THIRD successive European Championship, the Lionesses successfully defending the title they won in 2021 after she'd led her home nation, Netherlands, to victory in 2017. At times in the first half it looked as though Spain had too much for Sarina Wiegman's side, but it was a different story after the teams emerged for the second half. And there was nothing to choose between the sides after a tense 120 minutes. Wiegman 's Lauren James gamble didn't pay off, with the playmaker unable to give England even 45 minutes before her day came to an end. But her replacement Kelly delivered once more, setting up Alessia Russo to bring England level before the hour mark after Mariona Caldentey had headed Spain into a half-time lead. Both managers made changes to their starting XI. One of those was expected, with Laia Aleixandri returning from suspension for Spain, but Montse Tome also introduced Athenea del Castillo in place of Claudia Pina while England boss Wiegman recalled Jess Carter for Esme Morgan at centre-back. England started on the front foot, with Alessia Russo beating the offside trap and drawing an important low save from Cata Coll. Lauren James, starting on the left after being ruled fit to start, didn't gamble on the rebound and the danger was soon clear. At the other end, Esther Gonzalez showed why she went into the final as the tournament's top scorer. Spain's number nine has a knack for finding space for a shot where others can't, first bringing the best out of Hannah Hampton and then sending a powerful effort wide of the near post. England clearly had it in their gameplan to press Spain high up the pitch and it very nearly paid off inside 20 minutes. Lauren Hemp was quick off the mark to latch onto a loose pass from Cata Coll, but the Spain keeper redeemed herself with a big left foot to keep out the winger's effort. And barely five minutes later it was 1-0 to the World Cup holders, with Caldentey rising unmarked to power home a header from Ona Batlle's cross. Spain couldn't get a second, though, and England were able to draw level. Once again it was Kelly who made a key contribution from the bench, cutting onto her right foot and sending in a pinpoint cross for Russo to head home. The goal allowed England to enjoy a period on top, with Russo playing with confidence, and the next goal always looked like it would be a crucial one. It wouldn't come from Russo, though, with the Arsenal forward making way for club colleague Michelle Agyemang 20 minutes from time. Spain introduced Claudia Pina around the same time, and the sub kept Hampton honest with a powerful effort which the keeper had to beat away. Neither side could find a second goal before the end of the 90, and so England faced extra-time for the third straight game. Spain sub Vicky Lopez caused problems in the additional 30 minutes with her fresh legs while another Spanish replacement, Salma Paralluelo, missed a glorious chance to put Spain back in front when missing her attempted flicked finish inside the six-yard box. With no-one able to find a winner, it went to spot-kicks. There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scottish Sun
21 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
England 1 Spain 1 (3-1 on pens): Chloe Kelly completes Lionesses' greatest comeback yet to retain Euros title
The Lionesses went into the match looking to avenge their World Cup final defeat two years ago LIONESSES ROAR England 1 Spain 1 (3-1 on pens): Chloe Kelly completes Lionesses' greatest comeback yet to retain Euros title Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENGLAND have beaten Spain 3-1 on penalties to avenge their World Cup final defeat two years ago and retain the Euros. Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead on 25 minutes, before Alessia Russo brilliantly nodded the Lionesses level just shy of the hour mark. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Alessia Russo celebrates her brilliant equaliser Credit: AP 4 Russo heads England level in Basel Credit: Reuters 4 Mariona Caldentey nods Spain in front during the first half Credit: Reuters 4 Spain stars celebrate going in front on 25 minutes Credit: Reuters THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Finn Russell urges Lions to show no mercy and hand wounded Aussies a Tour whitewash
FINN RUSSELL has urged the British and Irish Lions to end their Australian tour 'on a high' by securing a historic 3-0 whitewash over the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday. Andy Farrell's men won the series courtesy of Hugo Keenan's dramatic late try in an epic 29-26 victory in the second Test in Melbourne at the weekend. Now Scotland fly-half Russell is calling on the tourists to show their hosts no mercy by achieving the Lions' first clean sweep since 1927. Relishing one of 'the best nights of my life', the 32-year-old said: 'Everyone here has been gunning for this for their whole career. To get to the Lions is one thing and then to get a series win is another. This is my third tour and I'd not won one, so it's so special to get this, bringing four nations together to be a family for five, six weeks. 'But it's not job done yet. We need to go and try and finish it off next week. Even though we've got the series, we need to go and finish on a high. 'Sydney is the final destination, everyone wants to play in that game. When we come back in on Monday, we'll be ready to go again. If we can make it a 3-0 series, that's amazing. Everyone's going to be gunning for that.' Russell didn't have his finest games on Saturday but still proved influential in a match which saw the Lions launch a magnificent comeback after trailing 23-5 after half an hour. The Australians produced a strirring performance after a lukewarm display in the first Test, but Russell insisted that neither he nor his team-mates panicked. 'Surely you guys know me enough now that if I miss a conversion, it's not going to be the end of the world,' he said. 'I felt pretty chilled, pretty calm. We had a lot of momentum, we were on top of them at the end of it. We had them on the ropes when Blair (Kinghorn) broke through. 'There was no stress. The whole team was amazing. Jac Morgan's cleanout that obviously created the try, it was just sticking to what we were doing, just playing rugby.' Russell admitted he could finally appreciate his Lions experience after being parachuted into his first tour as a late call-up in New Zealand in 2017, before injury hampered him in South Africa four years later. 'You've got to appreciate every part of it,' he said. 'You can't look back and think: 'Had I not been injured in South Africa, had I been called out before in New Zealand', you can't look like that. You've got to look at the positives. 'It's always a privilege getting called into the Lions, whether that's later on in the tour or being there from the start. 'This year's been very special. We've won a couple of titles with Bath - and I've not won much in my career. It's hard to appreciate it just now, because you're still in the moment, you're still half an hour or an hour after the game, so you're still riding on that wave. 'But when I get down time, and if I get any time away from the kids, I can reflect and it'll make it even more special. It's probably one of the best nights [of my life].' Meanwhile, Australian rugby boss Phil Waugh has demanded an explanation from World Rugby about the decision to award the Lions' series-clinching try. The Wallabies were furious that referee Andrea Piardi did not disallow Keenan's 80th minute try for what they perceived to be an illegal clear-out by Morgan on Carlo Tizzano. Head coach Joe Schmidt pointed the finger at the match officials immediately after the match, questioning their ability to look after player safety. Schmidt has been backed by his bosses, although governing body officials are not expected to take action. 'We've got the utmost respect in respecting the referee's decision,' said Waugh, the Rugby Australia CEO. 'But I do think there's a level of accountability and explanation that needs to come with that. And we look forward to that. 'My response is absolutely identical to Joe's comments in the press conference. 'I played professionally for 13 years and Joe's coached professionally for 20 years and both our views, and all those organisationally, are very aligned with what Joe talked to in that post-match press conference. 'Probably the number one priority for World Rugby is player welfare and we've seen great progress made in that space, and in a lot of ways World Rugby lead world sport in protecting the safety of players. So the progress the game globally has made can't be underestimated. World Rugby should be very proud around their leadership position on player welfare.'
