As we approach another Six Nations tournament, many are curious about what would constitute success for Scotland this time around.

In my view, achieving a second-place finish would be a significant achievement, given that Scotland has never reached that high on the leaderboard before.

Securing third place should be considered the minimum acceptable outcome. Anything less, like a position below third, would be disappointing. Last year, Scotland ended up fourth, so improving on that will be challenging.

It’s crucial for Scotland to start strong, delivering a solid performance and, most importantly, securing an early victory. A successful beginning is essential, especially with a home game against England looming.

I’m optimistic that a strong initial performance will boost the team’s confidence as they progress through the tournament. From the first whistle, we want to see everything fall into place.

Ryan Wilson is backing France to regain Six Nations title after their 2025 triumph

French stars, from left, Ramos, Ntamack and Bielle-Biarrey celebrate try in victory over Scotland last season

Ryan Wilson will be covering the Italy v Scotland game for Premier Sports on Saturday

The team should be in high spirits, especially with the Glasgow players riding the wave of momentum from their recent successes in the Champions Cup and URC, hopefully translating that energy into their Scotland performances.

You then add in Finn Russell and what he gives you, Blair Kinghorn and Ben White bringing something special from playing in France, and hopefully it all adds up to a winning combination.

If I were Gregor Townsend, I’d be starting Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the wings in every match. Scotland fans who maybe don’t follow Glasgow that closely will be turning up at Murrayfield next week and wondering why Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham aren’t in the line-up. I know I’m biased but I think the two Glasgow boys need to be in there as their form has been brilliant. Mind you, I’d probably pick 15 Warriors if I could. Or 12 plus Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn and Pierre Schoeman maybe. And I still think of Tom Jordan as a Glasgow player, too.

I hope Wales pick up a little bit and perform well, apart from round three when they play Scotland. Steve Tandy, in as head coach after leaving Scotland, and others in his coaching box like Dan Lydiate and Rhys Patchell are good men and you wish them well.

My tip for the Six Nations title, though, is France. If a head coach can afford to leave out players of the calibre of Damian Penaud, Gregory Aldritt and Gael Fickou then it shows the depth of the squad available to Fabien Galthie, especially with some of the younger ones coming through. It’s scary, especially when you think they’re actually ranked below Ireland and England in the world at No. 5.

They’ve got a brilliant match to open the tournament with Ireland the visitors in Paris on Thursday night and a big win in that one should set them up nicely.

I’ve looked at the Ireland team and I don’t know why people are writing them off. They’ve still got the depth there. It’s just some of the selections that you wonder about. You look at Sam Prendergast starting at No 10 and you think it could be a long night for him. France will be sending every man down that channel to get after him.

So, France are my shout for the championship but I’m not sure about them doing the Grand Slam because they’ve obviously got to come to Murrayfield and I’m hopeful for a Scotland win in that one. We always just seem to manage to turn it on against the French at home. That could tee it up nicely for a decider in the last game, with England going to Paris for what should be another cracker.

Ryan Wilson wants to see Kyle Steyn starting on the wing for Scots in every Six Nations game this year 

He also wants to see Jamie Dobie being used on the opposite flank by Gregor Townsend

Louis Bielle Biarrey shows the Scots a clean pair of heels in last year’s defeat in France

It’s great that the Italy-Scotland game is going to be broadcast on Premier Sports and I get to be a part of it. My old pal Duncan Weir and I are going to be presenting and, as anything with Premier Sports, we’ll look to provide an alternative view and mix it up a little bit. 

We’ve got Sebastian Negri in there, too, for the Italian perspective. I’ve been told I’m going to be presenting in the studio so anything could happen on the day!

But it’s awesome to see Premier Sports continue to add to their growing roster of rugby coverage and we’re going to be pitchside for our other matches later in the tournament, which is always good fun. 

We’re also bringing in the suspended spider cam view that you see a lot in the NFL which is just something different again. It’s brilliant if you love to follow the tactical side of the game as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the whole pitch with just the ref mic and the noise of the crowd which is pretty cool. I’m looking forward to being a part of it all.

* Ryan Wilson will join Duncan Weir and Sebastian Negri for Premier Sports’ live coverage of Italy v Scotland this Saturday starting at 1.30pm on Premier Sports. For the first time, in a new partnership with Six Nations Rugby, Premier Sports will broadcast five live matches from the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship across the UK – further strengthening its position as the home of elite rugby for rugby fans which includes EPCR rugby, Top 14 and URC. To join in visit www.premiersports.com from £11.99 a month.