Scotland have not won a major trophy since the Six Nations was still the Five Nations, back in 1999, but Gregor Townsend’s side have a great chance of ending their 27-year drought this summer
Sean Maitland has backed Scotland’s ‘golden generation’ to fulfil their potential and win a first major trophy since the 1999 Five Nations.
The next opportunity Gregor Townsend’s outfit will have to end their silverware drought will be the 2026 Nations Championship, which begins in July with a clash against Argentina in Cordoba.
South Africa in Pretoria and Fiji at Murrayfield then follow this summer before New Zealand, Australia and Japan all make the trip to Edinburgh in November – matches that Maitland sees as ideal for Scotland to test themselves in ahead of a huge 2027.
“The World Cup is only a year and a half away, so these games are massive, especially with the new format going through,” said Maitland. “They’ve got the squad and the ability. It’s just whether they can finally get over that hurdle and win something.”
Scotland were right in the mix to win a first-ever Six Nations crown heading into the competition’s final round this term after statement wins over England, France and Wales. However, defeat to Ireland, who were ultimately pipped by France to the title, ended their hopes of glory.
Maitland, who won 53 caps over eight years, is in no doubt that Scotland have the talent at their disposal to go all the way in big tournaments but knows they have to find a way to become a more consistent winning machine.
“They have got the squad that pundits, fans and ex-players have been calling a golden generation,” continued the 37-year-old. “But to be a golden generation, you’ve got to win something.
“They have definitely got the players to do it. The big thing for Scotland is backing up a big game with another big game. In 2024, they beat England [in the Six Nations] and then lost the next game, for example. It happens every year. It’s all about momentum.”
Despite missing out on Six Nations success, Scotland won many plaudits for the way they played across February and March.
Finn Russell again played a starring role with virtuoso displays against Wales and England while the likes of Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones and Darcy Graham also made telling contributions, with Maitland describing Scotland’s back line as having “rockstars everywhere”.
But the former Saracens winger believes Scotland can no longer just rely on the backs to take them forward, and that those donning the numbers 1-8 need to start making a name for themselves too.
He said: “One thing that has probably let Scotland down, we know they have the backs, but it is whether the forwards can back them up.
“They definitely made improvements in that Six Nations and the pack they’ve put together on paper is just getting better and better. Everyone always talks about Scotland and their backs, but the forwards are catching up. They’ve got quality there as well, which is really good.”
Maitland was speaking at the Deecon Consulting and Winged Boots Golf Day – raising money and awareness for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
The charity supports families, particularly those with young children of where a parent is living with incurable cancer, helping them navigate difficult conversations and help them find the right words to tell their children so they can build understanding, connection and resilience together.
On Friday 5 June, Lord’s will once again be transformed into a sea of red as players, fans, and sponsors come together to raise vital funds for the Foundation and its work for the annual #RedforRuth Test match in memory of Ruth Strauss, the late wife of former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss and mother to two children, who passed away from a non-smoking related lung cancer aged just 46 in December 2018.
Maitland added: “It doesn’t matter what sport people have played, it’s great to see so many people supporting this cause. To be able to help support the Strauss family and the brilliant work of the foundation is an honour and a privilege. I’ve got three young children, so it definitely hits home, and I’ve had friends that have lost parents very early too. It’s amazing the work this charity does.”
For more information and ways you can support the Ruth Strauss Foundation at #RedforRuth at home or in-ground, visit https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/events/redforruth-2026/