Tuesday 17 March 2015 16:56, UK
Greig Laidlaw has called on Scotland to get the basics right if they are to upset Ireland and avoid the Six Nations wooden spoon.
The Scots go into this weekend's Murrayfield contest as the only side without a win, and they are up against opponents chasing a second straight title.
There are reasons for optimism: Vern Cotter's side led England at the break last weekend before falling away, while their most recent victory over the Irish in Edinburgh was just two years ago.
But Laidlaw has warned they must heed Cotter's advice and keep it simple on Saturday.
"Vern is an honest bloke - he doesn't miss when he swings," the captain said. "He's been honest but he's been good too. He's a clever coach and the boys appreciate that.
"The boys don't mind being told. We watched the game back and they saw themselves some of the flaws and that makes us frustrated.
"It really was the simple things we did well against England which allowed us to get on the front foot and take the lead, but we let them off the hook in the second half.
We almost thought 'brilliant, we are in the lead, we have a chance'. We relaxed a couple of per cent and let England come back at us. That cost us the game."
Scott Johnson was in charge back in 2013 when Scotland beat Ireland 12-8, and Laidlaw said: "We just did little things well to stay in the game.
"That will be the key again this weekend. We need to get into their half, hold the ball, win penalties then get the scoreboard ticking over. Get three points, six points, maybe then a try. Once you start playing in their half, the game becomes so much easier.
"We have a chance this weekend to make sure we don't finish bottom. We have got to do everything in our powers to make sure that doesn't happen. If we get a win here it gives us some momentum going forward to the World Cup and the four warm-up games."
