Six Nations 2022: Can Scotland build on promise of last year?

Here's the brutal reality of championship rugby. Last year Scotland had arguably their best-ever Six Nations — and finished fourth.

They beat England in England for the first time in 38 years and beat France in France for the first time in 22 years. They scored more points (138 compared to a 21-year average of 85) and more tries (18 compared to a 21-year average of seven) than they ever scored in the tournament.

They conceded their third lowest number of points and were joint-best in terms of fewest tries given away and second in terms of tries scored. They won three games and took the other two to the last kick, losing them by a combined total of four points.

And yet, after all the history made and all those statistical highs achieved, Gregor Townsend's team were behind Wales, France and Ireland in the final table.

That stuff about elite sport being a game of tiny margins is a long-running cliche, but that doesn't make it untrue.

On Wednesday, Townsend selects his squad for the 2022 Six Nations, the men who have to build on the stellar work of last season. The days when Scotland were sated by three wins out of five must be over now.

They have never properly contended for the title, never been there on the last day with a realistic chance of winning the thing. Three wins will have to become four for that to happen. That's the next level and, with so few injuries to key men, this is the year to find it.

The bar is high — and why shouldn't it be? Wins over Wales, England, France and Australia in the last few seasons. Away-day monkeys off backs, a dangerous attack and tight defence. Eight Lions, seven Test Lions. The most player depth — ever. One of the most admired coaches in Townsend, one of the most astute defence coaches