Grant Gilchrist has backed Gregor Townsend to remain as Scotland head coach despite the national team again failing to mount a meaningful Six Nations title challenge.
Defeat by France in Paris confined the Scots to fourth place, the sixth time in Townsend’s eight-year spell they have finished in the bottom half of the table.
It is an underwhelming return for a group of players some consider to be the strongest in Scotland’s history, but Gilchrist is steadfast in his belief that Townsend will bring success.
“After eight years, you can take for granted the changes that have happened within that time,” said the Edinburgh lock.
“I think you become a victim of your own success a little bit because we’ve set the bar really high.
“We’ve played some rugby that hasn’t been seen in a Scotland jersey for a long time and when we don’t perform, it then stands out like a sore thumb now in this team.
“Gregor and the coaching team, they’ve got the answers. That stability and the ability to build and get better year-on-year has to be, for me, the answer.