Stuart Hogg admits that Ireland fool him every time as the Scotland veteran prepares for his 100th cap for his country tomorrow.
Hogg, 30, is pumped about the chance to win a first Triple Crown - and the Scots' first since 1990 - with Andy Farrell's side the last obstacle to overcome at a packed Murrayfield.
But as the classy full-back admits, Ireland will provide quite the obstacle as Farrell rolls out the big guns for this one as the visitors chase the fourth win of a potential Grand Slam winning campaign.
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Ireland have won the last seven meetings of the Celtic cousins as an edge has crept into the rivalry in recent years.
Hogg said: "More of an edge? I think every game you get to play against Ireland, it's going to be incredibly physical and challenging.
"I think they're one of the smartest rugby teams I've ever come across, you watch them one week and they're coming up with these intricate plays and the next week they've got something completely different and they fool me all the time.
"Any time we play against Irish districts (provinces) or Ireland as a whole, we're always expecting the unexpected because there will be something coming my way.
"I'd say we're set for it but then again there could be something completely different coming tomorrow so that's exciting for us, they're a quality side and we're very much looking forward to having them here tomorrow at BT Murrayfield."
Hogg added: "I think you look at the Ireland squad and they've picked a huge amount of experience for this game, and that's what you want, to play against the best players and the best teams.
"To have Ireland here, the number one ranked team in world rugby, that's quality for us and we're hugely excited for it.
"Ireland are up there for a reason, they're incredibly good individually and collectively as a rugby team and their record speaks volumes.
"For myself and the rest of the boys, we respect them hugely but we also feel we can do a job on them and that's what we're excited about."
Johnny Sexton said in midweek that this is the best Scotland team he has encountered in his career.
Warming to that theme, Hogg said that belief played a massive part in the Scots' upturn in form.
“I don’t want to speak too soon but I think the boys have a huge amount of trust and confidence in each other and that’s something," he commented.
"I’ve been around a long time, and it’s not something we’ve necessarily lacked but we more believe in it now.
"I come in and work with these guys and it’s an absolute joy every single day they keep me on my toes and I’d like to think I keep them on their toes. We’re here to make memories on and off the field.
"I think this is the tightest squad I’ve been involved in and one that I’m very much looking forward to being a part of for a long time, hopefully."
And, as for his personal achievement, he is hungry to cap it off with silverware to mark the occasion.
"It will be official at kick off," he laughed. "It's incredibly special, as a kid all I wanted to do was to play for Scotland and to be sitting here 24 hours from the game, I don't quite know what to make of it.
"It was Scotland and Ireland in the Six Nations in 2003 and my school played at half-time, the opposition had blue jerseys as well and we ended up with green bibs and we had all the Irish fans on our side, but I'm not sure they'll be supporting me tomorrow.
"I've absolutely loved it and there's no better feeling than donning the jersey of your country and winning, I think this is my 12th attempt at the Six Nations and the first time we've ever been in a position to win a Triple Crown, so it just shows how far we've come as a team and as a squad.
"We're building towards something special. Tomorrow's going to be one hell of a challenge but it's one we're excited for and we've prepped well for, so we're all looking forward it.
"Every competition you play in you're there to win, you're not there to make up the numbers and allow someone else to win trophies in front of you.
"We want to be in a position to lift trophies and nothing would please me more than to see Jay (Jamie Ritchie) lift one tomorrow. We have a solid 80 minutes ahead of us and we know what it's going to take to be in that position.
"It's one that we believe we're ready for. We were still in position to win in France despite having to change things after the red card and that's something we've looked at over the last two weeks.
"We understand that there was more of an opportunity than what we delivered in that game, so we know exactly what we need to do although we know how challenging it will be to do that.
"We feel that we're in a good place and are ready for it."
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