Scotland's losing trail against Ireland - Close but no cigar

Scotland have tried and failed, sometimes failing better, sometimes failing worse in their attempts to get the better of Ireland since 2017.

But time and time again, since a 27-22 win more than six years ago, even when there appears to have been little between the teams on paper, they have consistently displayed a complete lack of killer instinct on the field of play.

The eight-match run stretches over six Six Nations fixtures, a World Cup pool clash and an Autumn Nations tie.

Within those games the closest they've been is a 27-24 loss in Murrayfield two years ago.

Over the last few years Scotland have been able to beat England and France, home and away, but Ireland have proved a match too far.

The talk has been talked but the walk was skipped.

Even when they appeared to have Ireland on the ropes, they have always lacked the power punch to drop them to the canvas.

Whether it was dropping the ball over the line or butchering overlaps, or even when playing against three props and a team with a wing forward throwing into the lineout, the Scots have always managed to bungle their opportunities when winning seemed easier.

But all losing streaks come to an end.

Ireland eventually beat New Zealand in 2016, and England's record-equalling 18-match winning run in 2017 came to an end in Dublin.

Older readers may remember where they were and how they felt in 1954 when Scotland bucked a nine-match losing streak to Ireland that stretched back to 1939.

One can just imagine the Murrayfield merriment that day, with four inches of snow for company, would be repeated if Scotland do the business in Paris on Saturday night.

The Irish Independent's Monday review of that game laid the blame at the door of 'Bad Psychology’.

From where the Irish team is now,