Scotland got off to the perfect start in round one, surviving a brief Italy scare to put a bonus-point win on the board at Murrayfield.
But now it only gets harder. Before a trip to the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in round three there is the small matter of the visit of world No 2 side Ireland to the capital.
There is no love lost at all between these teams – and Scotland’s Celtic cousins may even now be their biggest rivals – and Ireland have dominated them in recent years, winning each of the last 10 meetings since 2017, and 26 of the 32 this century.
So how do Scotland end that run? How do they fix their problem positions? And who impressed our expert panel the most so far across the first week of the championship?
Here, former Scotland captains ANDY NICOL and JASON WHITE join our deputy chief sports writer CALUM CROWE to give the lowdown on week two.
How would you explain the rivalry between Scotland and Ireland?
Scotland have lost their last 10 meetings with Ireland, and 26 of the 32 this century
It has become a brutal rivalry and one of the hottest-contested match-ups of the Six Nations
ANDY NICOL: It is a rivalry that has changed over the years. It used to be very friendly, we played hard on the pitch but always had a great night with the Irish boys afterwards.
And then Ireland got good and started winning things! This changed the relationship and turned it quite toxic, really.
There was an issue with Ronan O’Gara accusing Scotland of choking him and then Munster and Glasgow, or to be more specific, Ryan Wilson, had a number of run-ins which didn’t help the national relationship.
Ireland believe Scotland are all talk and no action. Scotland have managed to win in Paris, London and Cardiff in the last few years to stop a long run, so this is the last monkey to get off our back, beating Ireland in the Six Nations.
JASON WHITE: It is a genuine rivalry that has been brewing for a few years, especially since Glasgow and Munster had some really tetchy, physical games, with accusations of certain players being targeted.
Ireland will be desperate not to let Scotland break their winning streak and I expect our boys to come out firing.
CALUM CROWE: For me, I think a lot of it comes from the Irish fans and media.
There’s a sense that they almost seem to look down on Scotland. There’s a slight sense of arrogance at times with certain things that are said and written.
There’s a feeling among senior figures in the Scotland camp that Ireland don’t respect them
Scotland dominated the rivalry between 1986 and 1999, but the tables have now turned
There’s a feeling among some senior figures in the Scotland camp that Ireland don’t respect them.
Scotland are viewed as all talk and no trousers. They are mocked and ridiculed by a team who were once very much their equal.
Indeed, it used to be the Scots who dominated this fixture. In a long run which spanned 1986-1999, Scotland won 13 of 15 games against Ireland and were Grand Slam winners in that time.
Now the boot is on the other foot. Ireland love to gloat about it, love to mock Scotland at every opportunity.
Only Townsend and his players can change that narrative and shut them up.
What do you expect from Ireland? Does the absence of Andy Farrell make them weaker?
WHITE: I believe we will see the same approach from Ireland as we have over the last number of years, although I don’t get the feeling they are as strong this year.
There is huge pressure on whoever is picked at stand-off to nail the jersey and fill the hole left by Johnny Sexton retiring.
Their strength is in the number of players from Leinster and how used they are to winning and not getting too twitchy when the scoreboard is close.
Simon Easterby (left) has stepped into Andy Farrell’s shoes for this year’s Six Nations
This Ireland team are definitely beatable this year, says former Scotland captain Jason White
I do, however, see this Ireland team as definitely beatable this year and the absence of Farrell is a positive for us.
Simon Easterby is an excellent coach, and man, but he is not at the level of Farrell at the moment.
NICOL: On the evidence of that second-half performance against England in week one, the absence of Farrell has made no difference whatsoever.
Ireland were brilliant and Simon Easterby, the interim coach, went to his bench quite early to switch stand-off Sam Prendergast for Jack Crowley.
It was a shrewd and brave move. Ireland soaked up everything England threw at them, which was considerable at times, and then blew them away with their intensity and quality in the second half.
It was a very good lesson in that you have to play for a full 80 minutes to get anything from Ireland.
They have dominated Scotland for years now, not losing since 2017, and they will be desperate to keep that run going.
They have an issue with Scotland, there is a real edge to this game, and I think it will be a cracker.
The bench was very strong and effective last week for Ireland and it will be again this week.
CROWE: Nobody is claiming that Ireland will suddenly fall to pieces. But the absence of Farrell has to make a difference. Otherwise, what’s the point of a head coach?
I have absolutely no doubt he will still have a significant influence in team selection and how the team prepares through the week.
But it’s in-game coaching decisions where Ireland will miss his influence given that he’s not calling the shots in the coaching box.
Ireland looked vulnerable defensively against England. The Irish deserved credit for powering clear in the second half, but there were definitely chinks in their armour.
What do Scotland need to do differently to finally break their Irish hoodoo?
NICOL: Quite simply, they must match Ireland’s physicality. This has been the main reason that Ireland have dominated Scotland in recent years.
They have bossed us physically, they have won the gain line and it is almost impossible to win games if you lose the physical battle.
Last year’s defeat in Dublin can give Scotland some hope, as well as what happened against South Africa in the autumn.
Ireland have been so tough to beat in recent years but can Scotland finally get over the line?
Scotland can take heart from their performance against South Africa last November
In both these matches, Scotland matched up physically and stayed in the fight and the game until the end.
They lost both matches but they competed physically for the first time. They must match this on Sunday if they are to have any chance of winning.
Even if they do this, they still have to take all their chances, keep their discipline, and hope the many game-breakers that Scotland have are having a good day.
If all this happens, Scotland have a chance!
CROWE: A fast start is absolutely imperative. If you look at some of Scotland’s most painful defeats to Ireland in recent years, there was a failure to get out of the blocks.
For instance, in the World Cup game in Paris, Ireland led 26-0 at half-time. After an hour, it was 36-0.
But, more than anything, Scotland need to stay in the fight and produce an 80-minute performance.
They can’t knock off midway through the game as they did against Italy last week. This is happening too often for it to be a coincidence.
Ireland blew Scotland away in the first half of their 2023 World Cup clash in Paris
Dan Sheehan and Pierre Schoeman came to blows in an ill-tempered affair
I do believe they can win the game but it’ll take arguably the finest performance of the Gregor Townsend era, as this group of players seem to have some kind of mental block against Ireland.
WHITE: The biggest thing for me will be maintaining quick ball for our backs, through effective set-piece and collision work to allow our runners like Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn et al to come on to the ball in space and at pace.
We also need to come away with points when we enter their 22 and be horribly suffocating and effective when defending our try line.
This has to be our year to win, simply because we have never had a better overall squad – despite the injuries – and with the age profile and belief that Scotland seem to have within the group.
Who should start at the problem position of inside centre, and why?
CROWE: I would go with Tom Jordan. He made a big impact when he came off the bench against Italy.
Not only in terms of his own contribution, but also the effect he had on others around him – Finn Russell looked noticeably more relaxed when Jordan was playing outside him at second receiver.
Stafford McDowall didn’t do much wrong, but nor did I feel he really did anything to nail down the jersey. McDowall would offer more defensive security, but Scotland have been in that movie before with Ireland.
If it becomes an arm wrestle and a battle of physicality, they probably won’t win. I think attack could be the best form of defence.
Stafford McDowall got the nod last week against Italy but it is time to give Jordan a go
If Jordan plays at 12, it gives Scotland a second playmaker outside of Russell and could really add a new layer to the attack. Be bold and go for it.
NICOL: This is a tough one as Stafford McDowall did okay last week and played well in last year’s game against Ireland.
Tom Jordan made an impact when he came off the bench, being very physical in defence and offering another option in attack.
He allows Finn Russell to not always be the first receiver which allows Finn to play a bit wider or behind the front line and to ping his passes out to our dangerous runners out wide.
Scotland must win the gain line against Ireland and one player who is key for them in this regard is Bundee Aki.
For this reason, I would go with Jordan.
WHITE: I thought Stafford McDowall was really good against Italy but I have a sneaky feeling Tom Jordan may get the nod.
He is slightly more dynamic and powerful than McDowall and may just have the profile to get us over the gain line more effectively.
Ireland’s Bundee Aki offers a powerful threat in midfield at Murrayfield this week
To counter the argument for Jordan starting, he is more of an impact player from the bench and covers more positions, which could go against him.
Who impressed you most across the first weekend and which teams or players have room for improvement?
CROWE: Heading into the championship, I said that I fancied France for the Grand Slam – and nothing I saw last weekend really changed my mind.
They absolutely battered Wales in Paris on the opening night without ever really getting out of second gear.
Granted, Wales are a mess at the moment, so we can’t really read too much into that.
I expect France to build their way into the championship and steadily improve week on week.
The return of Antoine Dupont not only enriches the French team, but the Six Nations as a whole. He was electric in the first half.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed bag for Scotland. I didn’t think Finn Russell had an especially great game against Italy. Even beyond the interception, I felt he was below his best.
I took a bit of heat on social media for writing a piece along those lines and there are times when it feels like any criticism of Russell is almost viewed as an act of blasphemy by some Scottish rugby fans.
Finn Russell was not on top form against Italy but they will need him back to his best this week
But, if they are to beat Ireland on Sunday, they need Russell at the peak of his powers.
NICOL: Largely as expected really, as I predicted three home wins.
Antoine Dupont was the standout performer, he was sensational against Wales. He created three tries with a cross-field kick, a searing break and a brilliant long pass. He has it all.
France didn’t really get out of second gear, which is quite scary, but they didn’t need to. Dupont was taken off after 48 minutes, which proves how easy it was for them.
Dan Sheehan was incredible for Ireland considering this was his second game back after ACL surgery.
The Irish were very good in the second half and Scotland were very good at times in their comfortable win over Italy.
Italy can and will play a lot better, but things are looking bleak for Wales after being blown away by France.
The good news is that Scotland won well with Finn Russell not playing anywhere near his best, so he certainly has room for improvement.
Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan was outstanding off the bench as they wore England down
WHITE: Overall, the results went with the pre-tournament form book.
Sadly, Wales were not able to trouble France and the other games went with home sides winning.
Again, Antoine Dupont looked like he plays a different game at times and is untouchable.
Rory Darge was the pick of the Scotland players for me and did himself no harm for Lions selection.
England were strong in the first half against Ireland but fell away badly in the second half. They’re facing a strong French team this Saturday at Twickenham which suddenly looks like a daunting game for them.
And finally, if Wales lose to Italy this weekend, is that the end for Warren Gatland?
WHITE: I have Italy down as favourites to win this weekend and will be surprised if Wales can turn it around from last week.
If they do lose, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gatland sees out the rest of the championship before either resigning or being moved on.
He is such an experienced coach that he knows that winning games is what matters, especially in a rugby-mad country like Wales.
Italy have beaten Wales twice in the last three years, but not in Rome since 2007
CROWE: This is a massive game for Welsh rugby, probably as big as any of the Grand Slam deciders that Gatland has presided over in years gone by.
Italy will start as favourites in front of another sold-out crowd at the Stadio Olimpico.
I was there last year when Scotland crumbled in a raucous atmosphere in Rome. They were a better and more experienced side than this Wales team.
I expect Wales to lose and for Gatland to probably announce his resignation at the end of the tournament.
He remains an outstanding coach, but it just hasn’t worked this time due to some deep-rooted problems in Welsh rugby.
Gatland surely cannot survive if he slips to another wooden spoon in this year’s championship
NICOL: Well, he offered his resignation last year, it was refused, and since then they have lost another five or six games to make it 13 with no wins.
He has been a brilliant coach, especially for Wales, but he does not have the players to play the same way that got him all that success.
The game has moved on but his style of playing hasn’t, so it is hard to see a long-term future for him at Wales.
Even if they lose in Italy on Saturday, nothing will happen until after the Six Nations.
