Scotland star targets ‘next step’ as they look to overcome Rugby World Cup heartache

After a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign, Scotland will be determined to bounce back in the Six Nations – a tournament which they have shown considerable improvement in over the past few years.

That is the word from Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, who feels the Scots may need a new approach to continue on their upward trajectory in the upcoming Championship.

Improvement in 2023 Six Nations

After finishing in fourth position in the Six Nations in 2020, 2021 and 2022, Scotland went one better by claiming third place in the final standings in 2023.

Scotland kick off their campaign against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on February 3 and Kinghorn, who joined Top 14 heavyweights Toulouse late last year, knows that a victory would be a momentous one for his team as they have not won in Cardiff since 2002.

“It’s an opportunity to show our growth and show we’re ready to compete with the best,” Kinghorn told the BBC.

“The squad depth we have is potentially at its highest. I don’t think there is an issue with self-belief. The next step we need to make is winning big games.

“We have a very attacking style and that works in certain games, but in big Test matches we might have to rely on another part of our game.

“We need to learn on the back of victories and keep the momentum going. Cardiff is a tough place to go but it’s an exciting challenge.”

Scotland failed to reach the World Cup’s knockout rounds for the second successive time after finishing in third place in their pools behind eventual winners South Africa and Ireland, who came into the tournament as the the number one ranked team in the world.

“It was very disappointing, not the World Cup we wanted,” he said. “It will sit with us all until we’ve played a few games for Scotland again.

“I think this move out here has helped, it’s given me a fresh start – a new way to look at rugby.”

The 26-year-old has made a bright start to his Toulouse career and is yet to taste defeat after three matches, but admitted that playing for the Top 14 champions is not as easy as it might appear from the outside.

“It definitely comes with pressure,” he said of his new environment. “People expect you to win. You rarely go into a game as the underdog.

“So there is more of an expectation to go out and win – and to entertain the fans as well. When you’re not quite up to that level people are disappointed.”

Thriving in esteemed company

Despite that pressure, Kinghorn is enjoying being on the same side as superstars like France half-back duo Thomas Ramos and Antoine Dupont.

“They’re both world class and very classy operators,” Kinghorn said of his new team-mates. “Every training session reflects how they play at the weekend. The commitment they have for the game is unbelievable and it’s a privilege to play alongside them.

“They can catch you by surprise sometimes when they’re making something out of nothing and you have to react.

“I’m settling in quite nicely. The club has been great to me.

“The atmosphere at all the games is absolutely crazy and we’ve played some good rugby, with a clinical edge when making line breaks. It’s a style of rugby I like to play and when I think I’m at my best.

“It’s always a tough decision to move away from home. I’m Edinburgh born and bred but, from a rugby point of view, when one of the world’s biggest clubs come calling it would be stupid not to take the opportunity.”

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