Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has described next weekend's Six Nations clash against Ireland as "a huge game" which his side simply must win.

The Dark Blues suffered their fourth defeat on the bounce in this year's competition against England last time out to leave them staring a third whitewash in 11 years right in the face.

Title chasers Ireland provide the opposition in the closing round of fixtures, and Laidlaw insists that he and his teammates will give all they have to end their campaign on a high.

"We have an opportunity this weekend to make sure we [don't finish with the Wooden Spoon]," the scrum-half is quoted as saying by ESPN. "That's all we can do this year unfortunately. We will go out there and give absolutely everything.

"It's a huge game for us but I know the boys are absolutely desperate to get out there, put in a good performance and come away with a win."

Four teams - England, Wales, Ireland and France - are still in with a chance of lifting the Six Nations title heading into the final set of games.