Scotland on Ireland: 'Once they get in behind with some of those carries, they are very, very good'

'If Scotland can get on the journey they have been on the last few years then great - but it is easy saying that, it is another thing doing it'

CRESTFALLEN: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

FLYING centre Sione Tuipulotu was despondent as he faced up to the realisation that he and his Scotland team-mates are flying home after suffering pool-stage elimination from the World Cup.

The Scots arrived in France at the start of September with high expectations after climbing to fifth in the world on the back of a string of impressive results and performances.