One win would do for Jim Hamilton

Scotland have endured a bruising campaign in this year’s RBS 6 Nations — but Jim Hamilton insists one win against Ireland will sooth their wounds.

Despite showing flashes of progress there has been little relief for the Scots after suffering the pain of successive defeats against France, Wales, Italy and then England last week.

But 60-cap lock Hamilton insists Scotland can deflate title-chasing Ireland’s party mood and start the healing process with a victory when they host their final game of this year’s Championships at Murrayfield tomorrow.

The 32-year—old said: “We want to get that win this weekend. We put everything in and all we want is that win. You want that minute of euphoria at the end of the game to understand why you have put your body through it all.

“You come off the pitch and you are bashed about. Your fingers are broken, the back is gone. You’ve got black eyes and stitches. What’s it all for? To win a game of rugby.”

Summarising Scotland’s display from the Six Nations so far is a balancing act, with brief moments in the Stade de France and Twickenham where Vern Cotter’s side have sparkled countered by a host of needless penalties and missed chances which have cost them in all four fixtures.

It is a familiar story as the Scots face down the possibility of their third Six Nations whitewash since 2004. But Hamilton insists these last six weeks should not prompt another bout of soul searching ahead of this year’s World Cup.

The former Leicester and Edinburgh second-rower — who starts alongside Jonny Gray — said: “This is my ninth Six Nations and I remember the years before where we have played extremely well and not got the results. I won’t say we haven’t deserved what we have got because I firmly believe if you deserve to win, most of the time you will. But it does feel very different with the players we have got, the age of the group and even having Vern, a fantastic coach, in charge.”

Cotter has made two changes from the side defeated 25-13 in London, with Adam Ashe promoted from the bench to take Rob Harley’s slot in the back row, while prop Ryan Grant also comes in for Alasdair Dickinson.

Hamilton does not know how much longer he will be able to keep hold of his own jersey — but even if he is forced out by the new generation, he wants to make sure he leaves his mark.

“I’m still hope that in five year’s time when I’m not wearing the jersey but Jonny is, there will still be a piece of me in there, a piece that is helping him,” he said.

“Hopefully the skills I have given to Jonny or Grant Gilchrist and Tim Swinson will rub off on them and we can become an unbelievable rugby nation. I’ve got a huge role to play helping these guys to come through with the experience I’ve got.

“Jonny is a fantastic player but he is nowhere near the finished article. But there are bits of my game which I can give him and help him develop. I want to do that.”