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.

Gregor Townsend wants perspective after Scotland’s Six Nations loss to Ireland - Sunday’s demoralising defeat at the hands of an Irish side chasing a third consecutive title brought a familiar sense of deflation for Scotland.