'We're kind of aware' - view from Scotland dressing room on Gregor Townsend 'noise' and Italy defeat

The Glasgow Warriors forward said the team wanted to atone for the home loss to Argentina in the autumn and it was a source of frustration that they couldn't secure a win for the large travelling support.

Italy won 18-15 amid a biblical downpour to inflict upon Scotland their first defeat on the opening weekend of the Six Nations for six years.

"We are sick of being here, and having these conversations. I thought Italy were obviously great, and deserve the win, and we need to really reflect on why that happened," said Darge as he tried to explain Scotland's error strewn performance.

"There's parts of it that must be focus, there's parts of it that must be concentration, but it's hard to really put your finger on it. I think that is the frustrating part about it, is that it's happened more than once. We know, as players, we have to look at ourselves and can't let it happen again. We just have to be better."

There is little time to reflect, with England due at Murrayfield this Saturday in round two of the championship, but Darge said it was important to reflect on the event of Rome and stew on the disappointment.

"This will hurt, and rightly so, and I know we should sit on this for a little bit before we move on to England.

"It's obviously a massive game, one that everyone wants to be a part of, and at Murrayfield. Next week we've got an opportunity to go out and go again."

The result in Rome increased the pressure on Gregor Townsend who has been linked with a move to Newcastle Red Bulls. The Scotland head coach is already working for the energy drink giant as its "global rugby consultant". Darge said he had shut himself off from the "noise" around Townsend’s future.

"I don't pay much attention, I've not got social media myself," said the flanker. "We're kind of aware there's noise in the background. There will be [noise], and, you know, it's the same for the players, I'm sure there's noise about us. It’s part of the game. All we can focus on is what we do and how we react."

Darge said the players felt like they owed the supporters after what happened against Argentina in the autumn when Scotland lost after blowing a 21-0 lead and that it was disappointing that they couldn't make up for it by beating Italy. An estimated 15,000 Scotland fans made the journey to Rome but they their side lose at the Stadio Olimpico for the second time in a row.

"It's frustrating that we didn't do it," added Darge. "On the way into the stadium, we saw so many supporters that have travelled out to Rome and we know what that cost is for supporters, and how much it means to them. We wanted to have a reaction today, and we're gutted that we didn't.

"The support that they have shown, I think it was outstanding, even at the end of the game going around the stand and seeing the Scotland flags waving and people shouting over. We’ve just got to do what we can to show something next week."

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