Robbie Henshaw has said that his centre partnership with Jared Payne is getting "better and better" as Ireland aim to retain their Six Nations crown this weekend.

The pair have started all four of Ireland's championship games this year and are expected to line up alongside each other in Saturday's decisive game against Scotland.

"As we play more games together, I am getting to know more and more about Jared as a player," Henshaw is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"I'm becoming more confident with him and our connection is growing. We are getting better and better and there's a lot more to come from us."

Ireland's 23-16 defeat to Wales last weekend ended their Grand Slam hopes and meant that both teams, as well as England, have a realistic chance of winning the title, although it is likely to come down to points difference.