Townsend: Optimism ahead of the Six Nations

Townsend's position as attack coach came under heightened scrutiny after Scotland's pool stage exit in New Zealand featured four tries in the opening win over Romania and none in the matches against Georgia, Argentina or England.

Of the 20 teams in the tournament, only Georgia and Romania, with three, scored fewer tries than Scotland, while the United States also scored four.

Conceding late tries in the agonising narrow losses to Argentina and England sealed Scotland's fate, but Townsend is confident a ruthless edge can be found in time for the Six Nations opener with England at Murrayfield on February 4 after receiving the backing of head coach Andy Robinson.

Speaking in Edinburgh at the launch of the Auld Enemy Dinner, to celebrate Calcutta Cup clashes between Scotland and England, Townsend said: "We've met up as a coaching group a few times and got feedback from the players.

"You can pick over lots of details about what went on - what we're looking for is how to improve things, how to make sure we turn those winning positions into victories.

"We've got a few ideas that have come out of that. We know we're not far away.

"I'm very optimistic. We believe the fundamentals are there, the players are really coming through and standing up at Test level. That was proved at the World Cup.

"The rugby we have been playing and want to play is attacking rugby.

"It's about the decision making when we get into the opposition 22 and the execution.

"I believe we can go into the Six Nations looking forward to scoring tries and it's certainly our goal to get tries on the board as well as other points."

Nathan Hines has retired since the tournament, while numerous members of Scotland's 30-man World Cup squad will not be around at the next tournament in 2015.

But Townsend anticipates evolution not revolution when it comes to selection.

He said: "We're concentrating on 2012. We want to move on to 2012 with players that are on form and not worry about 2015 just yet.

"We know we've got a lot of good things in place and we want to build on that."

Scotland's last match was the loss to England in the first meeting on foreign soil in the 140-year history of the rivalry.

The Calcutta Cup clash returns to Edinburgh in February and historic battles will be remembered at the first Auld Enemy Dinner in February.

It is hoped the fundraising event for Help for Heroes and The Bill McLaren Foundation, sponsored by Glengoyne Highland Malt Whisky, will take place annually and alternately in Edinburgh and London on the eve of the famous fixture.

Former Scotland back row Stuart Reid is the event organiser.

Reid won eight caps for Scotland and was on the winning side in his one game against England, 19-13 in 2000.

"It's a great rivalry. The idea is to celebrate this fixture and if we can raise some money for the charities that would be great," Reid said.

Reid has fond memories of the win over England, which came at the conclusion of a miserable championship for Scotland - losing to newcomers Italy, Ireland, France and Wales - a year after winning the final Five Nations title.

Reid added: "It felt like after we won that we'd been forgiven for the other four rubbish performances."