And so begins a mammoth year for rugby. A Six Nations where Scotland might finally do something, a women’s World Cup with the improving Scots daring to dream of a strong tournament, a Lions tour that might feature a record number of Scots.
Professional rugby is such unpredictable terrain that only the terminally unwise would dare predict things.
Mercifully, such a hostage to fortune and glutton for punishment is at hand. To hell with the fence-setters. Here’s what’s going to happen in 2025. Possibly, maybe.
France to host Scotland in Grand Slam showdown
Yes, we enjoyed our Christmas and Hogmanay and, yes again, the drink might be talking here, but hang on…
Scotland play Italy first at home. Given that Italy beat Scotland in Rome last season this is no gimme, but Gregor Townsend’s team will start with a win, however tight.
Next, another home game, against Ireland. The head-to-head makes grisly reading for Scotland, but Ireland’s hold over them has to end sometime. There’s no Andy Farrell at the helm this time – he’s away preparing for the Lions – and they’ll miss him.
Ireland, the champions, had an indifferent autumn. There are doubts about their lineout, their high number of handling errors and their poor points return. They’re not vintage right now. Scotland are good enough to make it two from two if their nerve holds.
England away. They’re not winning and still look a team in transition. Scotland’s backline to storm Twickenham again. Three from three.
Wales at home in round four. Incredibly hard to see how Scotland would lose that if they’ve won the previous three. Grand Slam showdown in Paris, then.
France will win because they’re just too good, but second would be an all-time high in the Six Nations for Scotland. You’d take it now.
Scotland to win three games in Women’s Six Nations for first time since 2005
They came close last season, going to Ireland on the final day with a record of two from four, only to lose somewhat unexpectedly. It was a near miss as was their bid to retain the WXV2 title.
This is an improving team, though, with a good age profile and some proper threat out the back line. Beat Wales and Italy at home, as they’d expect to, and they have Ireland at home on the final weekend. Three wins would be a big breakthrough.
Glasgow to face Leinster in URC final
Leinster are top at the turn of the year and Glasgow are second. Now, there’s no guarantee the form guide carries on all the way to the final. Glasgow finished fourth in the league phase last season and Munster finished fifth when they won the trophy the year before.
Leinster and Glasgow look the strongest, though. Glasgow could have a home quarter-final and semi-final, but if Leinster make the final then they’ll most likely be hosts.
Leinster v Glasgow would be a sensational final. Leinster would be favourites to win, but it would be a mighty battle.
Edinburgh to make URC play-offs
Considering the quality of their squad it should be a given every year, but it isn’t. The win over Glasgow at Murrayfield was a sign of life. They probably don’t have the consistency to make top four, so it’ll be an away quarter-final. Their away record remains awful, so that’s where their run is likely to end.
Near misses in Europe
They should reach the knockouts of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, but everything from there depends on seeding and luck of the draw.
Glasgow can go far if they avoid an away trip to the biggest hitters in France. A first Champions Cup semi-final is within their grasp. Edinburgh need home advantage. Without it, they’ll bow out in the Challenge Cup last 16 or more likely, the last eight.
David Nucifora to make big call
Would it be a shock if the new performance director announced a ban on non-Scottish qualified signings for Glasgow and Edinburgh, save for exceptional circumstances? Not especially. He did it in Ireland. He wants to give homegrown players every chance and that’s one way of doing it. Glasgow and Edinburgh may not like it.
Kinghorn to do double double with Toulouse
Having won the Top14 and the Champions Cup in his first season with Toulouse there is every chance Blair Kinghorn will repeat it in his second. Toulouse are a wondrous force. Hard to see anybody stopping them.
World Cup women to meet England
Bryan Easson’s team are second seeds in their pool behind Canada. Beating the Canadians would be a very tall order, so a quarter-final against England looks the more likely outcome. Getting out of that one with pride intact will be all the Scots can hope for. England are massive favourites to win the tournament in their own backyard.
Ten Scottish Lions in Australia
The certainties: Blair Kinghorn, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Finn Russell, Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson. The probable: Duhan van der Merwe. The possibles: pretty much everybody else in a first-choice Scotland. The bolter: Tom Jordan, there aren’t many utility backs as good as him.
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