'We have to be better to win in Dublin' - Townsend

Having managed to break long losing streaks at Twickenham and Stade de France in recent years, Townsend’s boys believe they can pick up another major scalp on the road – but they will also be acutely aware that they face a big step up in class to what they faced in Rome this weekend.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend #

Gregor Townsend has warned his Scotland team that they will need to be an awful lot better than they were when securing a bonus point win away to Italy on Saturday if they are to have any chance of beating Ireland at Lansdowne Road for the first time this century next weekend.

The Scots beat Ireland in Dublin back in 2010, but that game was played at Croke Park, whereas they haven’t tasted success at the home of Irish rugby since 1998, when they secured a 16-17 victory which was quickly followed by the resignation of Ireland head coach Brian Ashton mid campaign, to be replaced by Warren Gatland.