'We're not going to die wondering' against Ireland, warns Scotland's Jamie Ritchie

Gregor Townsend's side will 'fire every bullet in our gun'.

DETERMINED: Scotland's Jamie Ritchie during the Captain's Run at the Stade de Nice earlier in the tournament. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Three times yesterday a Scottish coach or player was asked if this was the biggest challenge of their careers. Three times the answer was designed to divert the conversation elsewhere. There was no need for a rooster to crow three times: there is no denying it.

Gregor Townsend has been head coach for six years. He has delivered some great days and weeks for the team and for the nation but an inability to stitch enough of them together has left them marooned on a mezzanine level between potential and achievement.