WE'RE IN WITH A SHOUT

But France the real test of credentials

- BY GRAEME MACPHERSON

GREGOR TOWNSEND believes Scotland's battling three-point win over Wales shows they're learning from previous heartache.

But the head coach also accepts the challenge goes up a few notches from here with France next up at Murrayfield in 12 days.

An opening-day defeat to Italy in rainy Rome looked to have ended Scotland’s Six Nations challenge at the first hurdle.

A convincing win over England and then Saturday's scrappy 26-23 victory over Wales, though, has got them back in the mixer.

The tournament now heads into a rest week now to give the teams a breather.

And, when it returns, Townsend knows his players must raise their levels if they're to beat the French - and take their challenge all the way to the wire in Dublin on the final day on March 14.

The head coach said: “I think the way we won over Wales is going to be more valuable for us moving forward.

“In the last two games we've shown a real mental strength that we can find different ways to win.