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Captain Laidlaw urges Scotland to be single-minded as they prepare for Ireland game

Greig Laidlaw Scotland
Image: Greig Laidlaw believes Scotland can beat Ireland.

Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw will urge his side to draw on their good performances in narrow losses as they focus on beating Ireland to avoid the wooden spoon.

Defeat to England on Saturday was Scotland's fourth loss from four Six Nations games, leaving Vern Cotter's side staring at a second whitewash in four years if they lose when they host Ireland next weekend.

"It's simple. We have one massive challenge at home and we are desperate to win the game," Laidlaw said.

"We will be chucking everything at that game. We will stick together this week, look at the videos, do our recovery together and stay together as coaches and players.

"We will put together a plan and then go and execute it. We will be absolutely desperate come Saturday to win the game."

We will be chucking everything at that game.
Greig Laidlaw

Narrow defeats despite good performances in all but the loss to Italy - bottom of the table 10 times since their inclusion in the championship in 2000 - give Scotland some positives on which to focus this week.

Ireland are chasing the championship title they won in 2014, with few expecting Scotland to prevail, but they have beaten the Irish before to avoid the wooden spoon.

Ireland have lost on their last two trips to Murrayfield - in the August 2011 Rugby World Cup warm-up and the 2013 Six Nations - while Scotland avoided finishing sixth in 2010 by winning in Dublin.

"We believe in what we are all about," said Laidlaw. "We believe we can win the game at home. If we start looking outside we will miss things inside.

"If we get our part right and are true to ourselves as players and coaches we will put ourselves in a position to get right in the game and take it."

Coach Cotter is also confident. The New Zealander said: "If we can repeat and develop parts of our game that we did well, we'll put them under pressure.

"We've got to start believing that. I am encouraged, I really am, with what I see. Frustrated we haven't got the win but we are working towards it.

"We take it on the chin but I think there is improvement. We took the game to England. They are a very good side. Now we've got to keep believing and developing.

"We just have to keep working that way, analysing and shifting forward.

"We need to keep moving. We have Ireland next week and they beat England so it will be really tough for us.

"(But) there is more to come from this team."

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