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England head coach Steve Borthwick has called for more support for "phenomenal" Scotland counterpart Gregor Townsend.
The 52-year-old, who is under contract until after the 2027 World Cup, has come under increasing scrutiny after Scotland's 18-15 defeat by Italy in Rome in their Six Nations opener.
Former national team captain John Barclay even declared earlier this week that if the Scots fail to finish in the top three then "it becomes a necessity to see change".
Townsend failed to lead Scotland out of the group stage of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and has never finished higher than third in the Six Nations during his nine years in charge.
But Borthwick, whose England side visit Murrayfield on Saturday, said: "I think Gregor Townsend is a wonderful coach.
"I was told recently that he has the best win record of any Scotland coach in the professional era. Sir Ian McGeechan had two spells and Gregor sits above that.
"The way he has coached the attack they have and the way they move the ball, when they do that they look terrific.
"I have immense respect for him as a coach and I find it surprising that people are not spending more time talking about Scotland rather than not supporting their coach.
"He's a phenomenal coach and they should spend more time supporting him."
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The 52-year-old, who is under contract until after the 2027 World Cup, has come under increasing scrutiny after Scotland's 18-15 defeat by Italy in Rome in their Six Nations opener.
Former national team captain John Barclay even declared earlier this week that if the Scots fail to finish in the top three then "it becomes a necessity to see change".
Townsend failed to lead Scotland out of the group stage of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and has never finished higher than third in the Six Nations during his nine years in charge.
But Borthwick, whose England side visit Murrayfield on Saturday, said: "I think Gregor Townsend is a wonderful coach.
"I was told recently that he has the best win record of any Scotland coach in the professional era. Sir Ian McGeechan had two spells and Gregor sits above that.
"The way he has coached the attack they have and the way they move the ball, when they do that they look terrific.
"I have immense respect for him as a coach and I find it surprising that people are not spending more time talking about Scotland rather than not supporting their coach.
"He's a phenomenal coach and they should spend more time supporting him."
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