Rugby: De Luca simply defiant

While realistically tagging Scotland as "underdogs" the Edinburgh centre believes there is no point in sitting back if an upset is to be achieved in the 5pm kick off at Croke Park.

"I would imagine Ireland will test us a bit more than in last weekend's Murrayfield draw with England. Ireland are scoring tries comfortably so we will have to up our game and I'm confident we can."

Scotland have finished within a single score of the opposition in two of their three defeats, and drawn with the English.

De Luca says: "We've been so close to finishing off moves and scoring a lot of tries. For that reason we're not going out there to make up numbers but to get a win."

According to De Luca the Scots can benefit from regular rivalries through the Magners Celtic League, including when Edinburgh come up against a Leinster side boasting his opposite numbers Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy.

"We know they are world-class players, but I enjoy playing against them, always have done. One thing we have to watch for with O'Driscoll is the way he puts in attacking chips or grubber kicks for players to run on to. Also, he has a great ability to get Ireland out of trouble. If he has to be contained, then for us it is mainly about fine tuning.

"The only time England really looked dangerously threatening was early on when they went up the middle. We'll make adjustments in defence to allow for what Ireland do differently then go out and try to make things happen. There's been too much reliance on trying to get the rub of the green."

Scotland have at least broken their championship duck by gaining a point from the Calcutta Cup clash but De Luca made it clear he didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that state of affairs.

"A draw left a bizarre feeling, really weird," he said. "You move forward by building on the positives and making sure the negatives don't happen again."

At the start of the championship former cap record-holder Jim Renwick told the Evening News Scotland had to find a settled midfield. Now, coach Andy Robinson clearly has high hopes for the Graeme Morrison – Nick De Luca centre pairing, remarking this week: "I was pleased with the way Graeme Morrison carried the ball and ran strongly (against England).

"A centre of his quality in the midfield with his pace and physicality is important to us. Nick De Luca came in and showed the maturity that he has developed over the last couple of years.

"I have obviously worked with Nick very closely when I was coaching Edinburgh and I thought he was very controlled in his performance last week plus carried the ball well in attack," Robinson added. "If you look at how he has responded off the bench when he wasn't selected he did well. He is improving his performance, coming to terms with international rugby and its pace. He is limiting the errors he makes and is accurate in his decision-making.

"These two guys will have one of the biggest tests they will ever have this weekend with the centre partnership that Ireland have. They will be hugely tested but I have confidence they will come through it well."