Scottish Rugby statement: Gregor Townsend

Townsend has come under increasing pressure after a deflating Autumn Nations Series campaign. Scotland squandered a golden chance to beat New Zealand and somehow let a 21-0 lead slip in their defeat to Argentina—results made even more frustrating given they opened and closed the series with wins over the United States and Tonga.

With Townsend now eight years into the role, some supporters and pundits believe the national side needs fresh leadership. But after extending his contract in September, Williamson is adamant the head coach remains the right man to lead Scotland forward.

"We entered into the contract with Gregor with the full expectation he is going to take us through to the World Cup - that hasn't changed," Williamson said following Scottish Rugby's annual meeting.

The pressure has been growing, especially after Scotland were booed off at Murrayfield following the Argentina collapse. Townsend has been the target of heavy criticism, with many arguing he has taken the team as far as he can.

Williamson acknowledges the team fell short of expectations in November, but insists his faith in the coaching setup is unshaken.

"The optimism going into the autumn says a lot about the development of the team and I think it would be folly for me to suggest that we weren't all enormously disappointed not to come out of the games, particularly against New Zealand and Argentina, with at least one win," he said.

"I personally, for what it's worth, was really disappointed with the outcome of the New Zealand game, because I actually thought that we could have won that by 20 points.

"The game against Argentina, to be 21-0 up against a team that are probably in the top four often, particularly when they have all their players together, and to not get over the line, was unbelievably deflating and there's no doubt about that."

Still, Williamson made it clear he does not "subscribe to the idea" that "we have to throw everything to the wind" off the back of a tough autumn.

"I think we have an outstanding coaching group," he said. "I think we saw some real progress in a number of areas and I think there was lots to like, but that doesn't diminish the fact that there was also some things that really didn't go well in the heat of the moment.

"I think we should continue to be very confident that we've got a structure, a coaching group and an ideology about how we want to play rugby in Scotland that we should be confident about - and that's where we are. I don't foresee change there."

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