Scotland's Peter Horne: 'We're not going to qualify by beating Ireland 8-0'

The Scots are plotting an upset in Saint-Denis on Saturday night.

ON TO PARIS: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend during a training session at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire

Scotland’s Peter Horne is aware of the maths as they face Ireland in Paris this weekend. Win by less than eight points against the world’s top-ranked side and it is all for nothing. Ireland will still progress to the quarter-finals, the Scots will go home.

It’s a scenario that can’t help but loom larger over the World Cup Pool B meeting between these close neighbours and rivals and yet there is a realisation in Gregor Townsend’s ranks that this is not the time to get ahead of themselves.