Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said he was "grateful" for last year's chastening defeat to Argentina after watching his team avenge that loss in the Nations Championship.

Scotland's bow in the new tournament went according to plan as they triumphed 47-38 in Cordoba on Saturday, with their seven tries coming from seven different scorers.

That impressive win, which came without key fly-half Finn Russell as he nursed a calf issue, earned Townsend's team a measure of revenge after a humiliating collapse last November.

Back then, Scotland led the Pumas 21-0 in Edinburgh before collapsing to a 33-24 defeat.

Scotland will take on South Africa and Fiji over the next two weeks in their remaining Southern Hemisphere fixtures, before hosting New Zealand, Australia and Japan in November.

And, as Townsend reflected on Saturday's triumph, he contrasted the way they overcame adversity to the manner in which they folded against the same opponents last year.

"Looking back, we're very grateful for that defeat," Townsend said.

"The week after, I felt that we became a much better team, we had more honest conversations and then, during the Six Nations, we were more prepared for momentum swings.

"Sometimes your biggest growth comes from adversity, and I've seen that with this team. 

"Today was another step forward, coming to Argentina, who were playing so much good rugby and winning away from home, but I know there's a lot more to come from the team.

Good morning Scotland fans! #AsOne pic.twitter.com/oK1LOUUCU1

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 5, 2026

"Argentina dominated possession for the first 10 minutes. Then, in the second half, they came right back into the game again. 

"We were able to change both scenarios around and really impose our game on them and get the points on the board."

Scotland's seven tries came from nine incursions into the Argentina 22, and this was their eighth victory in the last 11 Tests between the teams – and their 11th in 23 meetings overall.