Paterson: Scotland can get better

Chris Paterson is convinced he and Scotland can still go up a level to end their Lansdowne Road hoodoo on Saturday. [more]

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Chris Paterson is convinced he and Scotland can still go up a level to end their Lansdowne Road hoodoo on Saturday.

Frank Hadden’s rejuvenated side go across the water in high spirits after their Six Nations win over England at Murrayfield.

But there is plenty more still to come from Scotland, according to the versatile Edinburgh back.

"It can get better definitely," Paterson said. "If you ask anyone in the squad they will say that.

"Beating England was great but our performances can still get better and we have said that right from the word go.

"We’d like to add more to our attacking and ultimately keep improving.

"We are not far from where we want to be. We are confident we won’t undo all the hard work.

"We know what we have done is no fluke and we are developing into a good side.

"There will be mistakes on the way but we have the confidence and smiles on our faces to go and win this one."

But Scotland, who are level on points with England, France and Ireland in the standings, have to rectify their poor form on their travels and even worse record in Dublin.

The national side have not beaten the Irish on their own patch since February 1998, while their last away win in the Six Nations was in Italy back in 2002.

But the 27-year-old senses his team-mates have a glorious chance to put that right this weekend.

"We are happy with our home form but if there’s something we have to prove to ourselves is that we can do it away from home," continued Paterson.

"There’s definitely an opportunity to do just that this weekend. We’ll compete hard and are ready for the battle.

"We haven’t won in Ireland for eight years and over the last six years there we have not been close to winning.

"The odds are stacked against us and they will be the favourites because they are at home.

"We just have to make less mistakes and frustrate the opposition."

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