Ireland are the last team standing with Grand Slam ambitions - but Andy Farrell has told his players they must want it more than Scotland in their Triple Crown showdown.
After last Saturday's five-try win against Italy, Farrell's Six Nations table-toppers are two wins away from Ireland's fourth Slam.
They must beat the resurgent Scots and an England side in transition in a six day period and will be boosted by the return of big names for the Edinburgh clash.
READ MORE: Mack Hansen says Ireland can't get carried away with Grand Slam talk
Scotland's own Grand Slam hopes ended yesterday in Paris when they lost 32-21 to France.
But Gregor Townsend's side won their opening two fixtures and still in the Six Nations title hunt.
They will go all out to beat Ireland -who have won seven of the last eight championship meetings of the sides.
"It will be a different game against Ireland, I don't think it will be as open," said Townsend last night.
"They're a difficult team to play against but we really believe in what we have here. This was our best performance of the campaign."
Farrell is expecting an intimidating atmosphere.
“It’s one of the toughest places in world rugby to go and it doesn’t matter what anyone’s record is there, they’re tough to beat there," he said.
"And it’s fact, they’re going for the Triple Crown, that will mean a lot to them - so it has to mean even more to us."
Scotland out-half Finn Russell has been in menacing form but Farrell insisted the onus was on Ireland to curb the Racing 92 playmaker's influence.
"It’s all about speed of ball so we’ve got to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Farrell said.
"Any good player wants time and space, and he’s able to do what he wants from time to time because of the work that’s done on the inside for him. So it’s a team thing.”
With Finlay Bealham suffering a twisted knee in Rome, Tadhg Furlong is poised to make a very timely return at Murrayfield
Like Robbie Henshaw and Jamison Gibson-Park, Furlong hasn't played yet in this campaign due to injury but now the trio are set for recalls.
Farrell expressed confidence last week that skipper Johnny Sexton will also be back after a groin injury, while Garry Ringrose will hope his late withdrawal from the Italy game due to calf tightness will pay off with a swift return to training.
Ireland's frontliners will begin preparations for the Murrayfield clash with a mini camp on Thursday and Friday.
Asked how many from Ireland's injury roster would be available, Farrell replied: “Not far off all of them.
"Tadhg’s going really well and we would expect him to train Wednesday and Thursday when we’re in camp.
"Jamison’s fit, Robbie’s fit so we’ve got a good crop of players coming back when it matters.”
Farrell said he had no concerns about slotting them straight back in if they are ready.
He commented: “Obviously it matters because ideally you would love them to be playing, but how many times have we done this now?
"We’ve done it time and time again in regards to players not having ideal game time.
"But we pride ourselves on making sure that our training gets people up to speed and we’ll see how they’ll come back into that and deal with all that. That will give us more of an idea.”
Ireland made seven changes for the 34-20 victory over Italy as half-backs Ross Byrne and Craig Casey started a Six Nations game for the first time
Farrell added that a number of players have put their hand up for selection with their performances.
“They have, yeah, and we’ll see how they compete and train and take note and hold our nerve to see how their training goes and make the call," he remarked.
READ NEXT:
Anna Geary an 'emotional wreck' and 'blown away' by kind messages after announcing pregnancy
FAI policy on trans women revealed in wake of LGFA green light
Golf star Rory McIlroy wanted as his Ryder Cup partner for 20 years joins LIV Golf
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
