Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said he was proud of his team after Saturday's agonising 16-15 defeat by England at Twickenham ended a run of four straight victories against their hosts and all but killed off any thoughts of winning the Six Nations.

In the aftermath of the win over Italy at the start of the Six Nations a straightforward question was put to Gregor Townsend, Scotland’s head coach. “What do you have to do to beat Ireland, Gregor?” The reply from Townsend was quick and came with a smile.

Former Scotland prop Peter Wright says Gregor Townsend's side cost themselves a fifth consecutive Calcutta Cup victory with their wastefulness at Twickenham. Finn Russell's missed conversion after Duhan van der Merwe's second try of the game ultimately cost the Scots in a 16-15 defeat,