Gregor Townsend admits that Scotland’s Six Nations campaign will be a disappointment unless they can shock Ireland as he labels France and Italy defeats ‘gutting’

Gregor Townsend admits Scotland must beat Ireland in Dublin on Saturday to salvage any success from this year’s Six Nations.

Saturday’s shock defeat in Rome left his team staring at a bottom-half finish unless they defied the odds and shocked the Irish. Scotland are not yet out of the title race but should win by 77 points as they hope other results go their way.

Considering they will be huge underdogs in Dublin, it is likely that Scotland will win just two games in this year’s Championship. Three wins are generally seen as the benchmark for a successful campaign, but the Scots are in danger of flopping after a ruinous defeat in Rome.

Head coach Townsend said: “If we get two wins we will of course be disappointed.

‘We were disappointed not to beat France and we were disappointed on Saturday too. It’s a shame we didn’t get those two wins.

‘Expectations have risen and our own expectations have also risen. Beating England was something that never happened and now the expectation is that we will beat them regularly and finish high in the Championship.’

Townsend declined to comment on whether his position is under threat following the defeat in Italy, but admitted Scotland will have to be at their best to have any chance of victory against an Irish side chasing the title.

Saturday’s shock defeat in Rome left his team staring at a bottom-half finish

“We have to focus on how we put ourselves in a strong position against Italy, but also on how we let it slip away,” he said.

‘It’s a given that Ireland will play well against us; they are a quality team. We have to be at our best to win.”