Scotland captain Tuipulotu wants to 'rid' himself of regret

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been "waiting to play" again ever since Glasgow Warriors' United Rugby Championship semi-final defeat by Bulls and is also keen to address regrets from the autumn.

Tuipulotu captains the Scots against Argentina in the opening summer Test of the Nations Championships series. The Pumas recovered from 21-0 down at half-time to defeat Gregor Townsend's side at Murrayfield in November.

And the British and Irish Lions centre endured the disappointment of missing out on a home final in the URC as South Africa's Bulls triumphed at Murrayfield in June.

"It feels like a long time," Tuipulotu said. "It's important for us to get back on the field.

"You carry these games with you and the first thing that you want to do is get back on the field and I suppose, not reverse it, but give yourself a chance to rid yourself of the feeling."

Speaking specifically about last year's loss to Argentina, the 29-year-old said: "It is important. These conversations have been going on ever since it happened. It's been a big landmark for us.

"There's no hiding from it. It's been a long time since then and I like to think there's been a bit of growth in the group since then as well."

Townsend said November's defeat was still fresh in the mind.

"That was a real painful lesson for us but an important one," he said. "Very valuable in the team we've become over the last six games since we played Argentina.

"The game is full of momentum swings. You've got to notice when these momentum swings first appear and you've got to do something about it.

"Sometimes your biggest growth comes from a defeat and I feel that that was the case against Argentina and now we've got the opportunity to play them to show the team we have become."