The alarm that forced the evacuation of the building where Gregor Townsend was about to talk about his squad for the Six Nations – a portent of doom for the Scots or a siren signalling their intent?
For the eighth time in his coaching life, Townsend named a Six Nations squad.
A band of 37 players with newcomers in the exciting Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke (the Kiwi has a Glasgow grandad) and Glasgow Warriors number eight Jack Mann.
There’s the return of the prodigal lock, Jonny Gray, close to two years since he won the last of his 77 caps.
Seven of the forwards have six caps or fewer. Seven of the backs have 10 or fewer.
If that gives the impression of callowness, it’s a false one. This is one of the most experienced groups that Townsend has ever put together since he became Scotland coach in the summer of 2017.
What’s different between this season and last is that many of his players have won titles in the meantime. He has the core of the Glasgow side that won the URC and he has Blair Kinghorn, who won the double with Toulouse.
Time was when less than a handful of his squad had actually won anything. Now a bunch have – and recently.
And there’s also Gray, who won a Premiership and Champions Cup double with Exeter before moving to France where his team, Bordeaux, sits atop the French league.
Whither Scotland? Is it now or never for the team with the Hollywood backline? Is this the season when they finally deliver after all the false dawns?
Two home games to start. A relatively clean bill of health compared to other years. A team with class and nous and more physicality than last time.
Do you dare to dream, Scotland? Is this it?
