Blair says Scotland need to be more ruthless with scoring opportunities

Scotland captain Mike Blair believes the Six Nations victory over Italy was reward for the squad's hard graft on the training ground.

"I think Simon Danielli's try was a great example of something we work on in training and then it working in a game," he told BBC Scotland.

The Edinburgh scrum-half also thinks the squad can cope with the loss of injured prop Allan Jacobsen.

Scotland host Ireland a week on Saturday in their penultimate game.

Following defeats to Wales and France, the Scots recorded their first win of the Six Nations campaign, with a 26-6 triumph over the Italians at Murrayfield.

And Frank Hadden's side will be looking to dash Ireland's Grand Slam hopes when they meet in Edinburgh.

Blair said the Scots were happy to get their first points on the board - even if there is still room for improvement.

"There were some areas of the game we were really happy with," he said. "Obviously, we had two good scores and our defence was generally very sound as we had to soak up a lot of pressure.

"But, when we got opportunities, we generally got points out of them.

"Hopefully that will continue in the game against the Irish.

I'm very pleased that the team won on Saturday and that means I'm contributing to that Scotland captain Mike Blair

"It's about producing that 80-minute performance. Although the Italian game was a bit stodgy, there was some real positive stuff to take from it."

Regarding his own form, Blair said: "A lot of what a scrum-half does depends on what the pack do in front of you and what's going on outside.

"I'm very pleased that the team won on Saturday and that means I'm contributing to that; so I'm happy in that respect."

Chris Cusiter has been a second half replacement for Blair in all three matches so far and the Scotland captain is aware he must maintain his form.

"Chris is a quality player and he was the perfect guy to come on on Saturday to raise the intensity," he said.

"With Allan Jacobsen's injury there will be opportunities for other people and hopefully, that will help the squad."

Blair knows the in-form Irish will provide a stern test at Murrayfield, particularly after their bruising victory over England at Croke Park.

"They are getting used to winning these close games and with three wins from three; their confidence will be high."

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