Gregor Townsend has admitted there is “no quick fix” for the mental side of the game but has backed his Scotland side to put behind them the lapses in concentration which cost them in Italy last week as they seek a long-awaited win over Ireland.

You have to go back to 2010 for the last time the Scots won in Dublin but Townsend believes his squad is capable of busting their away-day hoodoo at the Aviva on Saturday. As evidence, he points to this team’s recent history in overcoming other long-standing winless streaks. They beat Wales in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years in the first round of this year’s Six Nations and in the 2021 championship they overcame England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years and France in Paris for the first time since 1999.

Gregor Townsend reveals 'no quick fix' for mental side of Scotland's game but evidences why they can snap Ireland hoodoo