Gregor Townsend admits 'passive' Scotland were no match for Ireland but he takes positives from Six Nations thrashing

Gregor Townsend admitted Scotland's Six Nations campaign ran out of gas against Ireland.

But the dark blues boss insisted defeat won't be allowed to derail the strides his side have made this season. The 22-7 loss was an eighth straight defeat to a side which will now land the Grand Slam title if they win against England in Dublin on Saturday.

A Huw Jones try had put the Scots ahead early on before a second-half collapse ended all hopes of a first Triple Crown success since 1990. Scotland close their campaign against Italy on Saturday with an outside chance of finishing second before planning for the World Cup later this year with a group clash against the Irish in October and Townsend is adamant they can become the sum of all parts before that collision.

He said: "It was very disappointing in the second-half. In the first-half we were on it and the players were a bit deflated that we weren't leading at half-time. It's just disappointing the second-half wasn't competitive and we are very disappointed with that 40 minutes.

"I felt the energy was dropping throughout the team after all the work which was put in during the first half. Whether we expected things to come to us? We didn't grab that and Ireland did, we were also too passive at times.

"Once they went ahead they showed what a quality side they are. It should make us more determined to not go through an experience like today. There is confidence to take from how we have been playing and there will be real determination to take that on for 80 minutes.

"We are close to working it out as we showed enough in attack and defence in the first half which can trouble Ireland. The World Cup is a bigger stage and there are more consequences but we have learned."

Townse