Kyle Rowe says Scotland can look to footballers for help to deal with adversity

Kyle Rowe pointed to Scotland’s World Cup-bound footballers as an example of how the national rugby team can improve their ability to deal with in-game adversity.

Gregor Townsend’s side have come under heavy fire in recent days after blowing a 21-0 lead against Argentina on Sunday as they conceded five tries during a calamitous closing 24 minutes to lose 33-24.

Such meltdowns are generally deemed have undermined the Scots’ attempts to compete with the heavyweights of the game on a consistent basis.

Versatile Glasgow back Rowe – who did not play on Sunday – believes they need to find a way to handle periods of pressure like Steve Clarke’s footballers did as they twice responded to the concession of an equaliser to regain the initiative in their 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday.

“We’re all striving to get better,” he said. “We need to be better at wrestling back that momentum. Being 21-0 up, we shouldn’t have ever really been in that position (to lose the game). That was something we spoke about on Tuesday, being able to wrestle back that momentum.

“The boys in the football showed that. When Denmark scored, they were able to wrestle back that momentum and then they scored again, and again.

“That’s a learning for us and we had a good few tough conversations with the team. As much as it was tough to hear, it was very positive.

“I feel like we’ve got everything in this team. We’ve got everything to go and beat the best in the world.

“It’s probably just those momentum swings in the game and being able to wrestle them back or stop the momentum of the other team from kicking on to one, two, three tries. If they get a try, stopping it there and then.

“When we’re hot, we’re hot. We just need to not be fazed by teams coming back into the game. When you’re playing the best teams in the world, things are going to happen like that.

“It’s just about staying composed and believing in ourselves.”

Rowe, who started the 85-0 rout of USA at the start of November, was disappointed not to feature in either of the last two games against New Zealand and Argentina.

The 27-year-old is expected return to the fray as Townsend plans changes for Sunday’s campaign-concluding visit from Tonga.

“I feel like I’ve trained well and helped the team be ready for the weekends,” said Rowe. “That’s all I can really do when I’m not selected. I’m in a great spot physically and mentally, so I’m hoping to get a run-out this weekend.”