Townsend hails Scotland depth after five Lions sit out 47-38 win over Argentina

Scotland produced a seven-try, 47-38 victory over Argentina in Córdoba without four British and Irish Lions starters, with head coach Gregor Townsend pointing to the result as proof that his squad has the depth to compete at the highest level.

Sione Tuipulotu, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Hutchinson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, debutant Gregor Hiddleston and Kyle Rowe all crossed the line as Scotland overcame a Pumas side ranked two places above them in the world standings. Darcy Graham, Scotland’s all-time record try-scorer, only entered the game in the final quarter.

Townsend was quick to contextualise the achievement. Finn Russell, Huw Jones, Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn — all Lions tourists last summer — were absent from the starting line-up, while forwards George Turner, Grant Gilchrist and Jamie Ritchie also missed the match.

“We had five Lions not in our starting team when you think of Finn, Huw, Blair, Darcy and Duhan, who were all on the Lions tour last summer,” Townsend said. “The other players came in and did a great job and have been doing great for their clubs and for us in the Six Nations.”

The head coach added that the result would sharpen competition for places within the squad. “I know Darcy, Duhan, Blair, Huw, guys that weren’t playing, will be looking at the performances of the players saying, ‘right, I have to play my very best to play for Scotland’. That’s what you want to create and what you want to see as a coach.”

The win is Scotland’s fourth in six Tests this calendar year and their third against a side ranked above them in the last five matches, following victories over England and France. Seventh in the world rankings, they have now beaten teams placed above them back-to-back-to-back across those fixtures.

Townsend was pleased with the clinical edge his side showed once they got into their rhythm. “In the first half we took a while to get possession but when we did, I thought we were really clinical,” he said. “I thought a couple of the tries were up there with some of the best tries we’ve scored.”

He also highlighted the set-piece as a foundation for the back-line’s freedom. “Our scrum was good, and the work around our contact — whether in attack or defence — those are the big elements, the fundamentals in Test rugby, so it was really pleasing.”

Scotland’s next assignment is a first-ever away test against world champions South Africa in Pretoria. Townsend acknowledged the scale of the task while remaining measured about his side’s momentum. “Next week is going to be a real tough challenge, but we can go there knowing that our game is in place but with a few things still to improve.”