Rory Lawson calls for perspective after Scotland defeat to Springboks

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson says some perspective is required by those who believe the national side have plateaued under Gregor Townsend.

The Scots battled hard before going down 32-15 to world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Despite some impressive scalps during Townsend’s tenure – including regular Calcutta Cup success against England and notable victories over France – wins over the world’s top three of the Springboks, Ireland and New Zealand have proved elusive.

Townsend also guided Scotland to a record high of fifth in the world rankings – they currently sit sixth – but in his seven Six Nations campaigns as head coach, the team have been unable to finish above third in the table.

“I think the reality is that measuring yourself against these top teams in the world, we all want to be operating at that in that position, but sometimes even when you’ve put in a performance, you’ve just got to step away and say we weren’t good enough on that day,” Lawson told the BBC’s Scotland Rugby Podcast.

“We have been very, very competitive in the Six Nations of late. Gregor’s win record is as good as they’ve come for a Scottish coach.

“His job is to create an environment whereby the best rugby players in Scotland are at their best, individually and as a team on these matchdays, and he’s not far away from doing that.

“I think if in two weeks’ time Scotland have beaten Portugal and not won against Australia, then you start asking another question.

“I spoke to a few of the guys after the South Africa game and said to what extent can you make that the level that every team experiences when it comes to physicality, intensity for Scotland?

“That has got to be the benchmark now for Scotland.”