Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has revealed how Pep Guardiola's passion for coaching has helped shape his own preparation for this year's Six Nations.
Townsend spent two days with Manchester City last year, one of which allowed him to observe Guardiola's methods on the training pitch.
The City boss' philosophy -- some of which he has borrowed from rugby -- clearly left an impression on his Scotland counterpart, who is bidding to lead his country to a first championship crown since 1999.
"The biggest thing about meeting Pep was seeing a coach so passionate about the details of coaching," Townsend said at the Six Nations launch in London.
"It's about how to bring the best out of players, not talking the bigger picture or the state of the game and tactics, more about the details of how he gets his game over. He was so excited about it.
"He talked a lot about rugby as well, he loves rugby, and how we have to look forward because we pass the ball back. That's a great philosophy that he thinks applies to football.
Thanks @ManCity for the opportunity to learn from the very best. An inspiring day. pic.twitter.com/mTgKnO0qNQ
— Gregor Townsend (@gregortownsend) December 4, 2017
"As a coaching group we encourage each other to learn from different sources."
Townsend presented Guardiola with a signed Scotland shirt after their meeting, and he hopes the Catalan coach will be cheering his team on when they kick off their campaign against Wales in Cardiff on Feb. 3.
"He didn't say who he would be supporting, but he did get a signed Scotland jersey," he said. "He was pleased with that so hopefully he'll have one eye on Scotland."
Scotland have not lifted the title since the championship became the Six Nations with Italy's admission in 2000, but head into this year's tournament with high hopes following an encouraging 2017.
"It's quite good, no one can take away from us winning the last ever Five Nations," Townsend, a member of that victorious squad, said.
"When I played, the teams dominating were England and France, and whoever sneaked in in third had a chance. Now you have five teams in that mix. It's a very competitive and high-quality tournament.
"It was a very good year for us, 2017. Three wins in the Six Nations followed by Australia in the summer and in November, and a good performance in New Zealand.
"It was a good year to generate that optimism and that buzz for the game, and now in 2018 we have to build on that and get better."