Gregor Townsend praises Portugal and says Test rugby cannot become ‘closed shop’

The introduction of a Nations Championship from 2026 will mean so-called tier two nations like Portugal get even fewer opportunities to face Six Nations or Rugby Championship opposition.  

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And Townsend praised Os Lobos for their efforts despite a 38-point margin. 

“I thought Portugal really tested us at times,” the Scotland head coach said.  

“When you play such an ambitious attacking game you might make errors and I felt like our defence got rewards at times in getting the ball back.  

“I thought they were accurate with their attack – you’re going to cause the defence problems. They did that more in the second half, so credit to them for that. 

Townsend felt his side had been given a tough test by Portugal (Image: SNS) “They brought a lot of physicality and line speed that we had to just adjust and find solutions to.” 

And Townsend believes their performances at last year’s World Cup, where they beat Fiji and drew with Georgia, earned Portugal the right to a big away day at Murrayfield. 

He said: “They’re just outside the top ten and it’s good for world rugby that we are playing teams outside the top ten. 

“We can’t just make it a closed shop. When we’ve looked at November tests, you always get two games against Rugby Championship teams and a game outside of that. It’s great that Portugal is one of these options.  

“They’ll be a better team for that experience today. 

“They played well. Their pace, their physicality, their skill. Some of their skill execution of their attack shape with forwards and backs in the second half was very accurate. They did test us. For us, we were able to do two things this week.  

“It’s a very good thing for World Rugby that Portugal are playing games against Six Nations teams.” 

Townsend, though, was pleased with the way his side solved those problems and came through to score nine tries in a comfortable win.  

The Scotland boss added: “I thought the first half was probably more clinical at times once we got through a sticky five, ten minutes.  

“The second half with the changes we were making and the fact we didn’t have as much possession maybe it wasn’t as fluent but it was a good performance and a very good win against a Test team.” 

Sale Sharks wing Arron Reed scored a pair of the nine tries, and Townsend acknowledged his performance has added to the selection headaches for the back three berths, with Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Rowe and Tom Jordan all available. 

“Arron was excellent today,” he said.  

Arron Reed scored twice in the win over Portugal (Image: SNS) “His point of difference is his speed and he’s shown that this year for Sale.  

“It’s a good position to be in right now and obviously we’re missing Kyle Steyn.  

“Those other guys have played well to make it a harder selection for this weekend.” 

Townsend also lauded debutant trio Alex Samuel, Ben Muncaster and Freddy Douglas, who became the youngest player to make his debut for more than 60 years when he appeared from the bench late on.  

On Edinburgh flanker Muncaster, Townsend said: “Ben managed to get a few carries. Obviously that’s a big strength of his and you tend to bring that more out at eight than seven, but he did manage to get those carries. He defended well and brings real speed.” 

On Glasgow lock Samuel, he added: “I thought Alex was very physical and he’s got a real carrying strength too.” 

The Glasgow lock may be a doubt to face Australia next week after failing a head injury assessment during the second half.  

Alex Samuel made his Scotland debut against Portugal – but might miss next week’s game against Australia (Image: SNS) And on Douglas, Townsend said he was pleased not to see the teenager, whose appearance was his first in a competitive professional game, not overawed by the occasion. 

“I thought he was unlucky not to get one jackal but it was really pleasing that he didn’t go looking for things. He stuck to the defensive system, came up and put his tackles in.  

“I’ve been very impressed with his maturity and professionalism this week. It’s been a huge occasion for him and huge news this week that he was going to be playing for Scotland.” 

But he knows Australia – who play Wales tomorrow – are improving all the time under former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.  

“You can see the characteristics of a Joe Schmidt team,” Townsend said of the Wallabies.  

“They want possession and they hold on to possession.  

“They obviously have Joseph Sua’ali’i week who managed to get some offloads and they showed their attacking strengths out wide.  

“This will be the strongest team Australia that they’ve put together all season. Will Skelton didn’t play in the Rugby Championship, there is [Samu] Kerevi, now they’ve got Joseph Sua’ali’i who’s now available. So, this will be a strong team.  

“Now they’ve got some quality players back. There will be a huge challenge.”