Paterson has won most of his 44 caps on the wing but the former Gala player has always stated his preferred position is stand-off.

Williams granted his captain his wish in the first four games of this campaign but for the trip to Dublin the coach has moved Paterson to number 15 and brought in Glasgows Dan Parks for his first start.

Williams insists the change could benefit Paterson in the short term at least.

He said: As Ive said before Chris is a world-class attacking back but at this stage the opposition are bottling him up in that outside half position and were just trying to free him up and give him a bit more space to let his talents come out.

Chris will still be receiving the ball off number nine at times but Dan comes in and hes a good technician, a good passer and a good kicker.

That will take some pressure off Chris and let him play his natural game.

Williams concedes confidence is low in the Scotland squad after four successive defeats by Wales, England, Italy and France.

The Scots will be 'whitewashed if they are beaten by the Irish, who themselves have a slim chance of winning the title with a big points margin on Saturday.

But Williams said: We've lost our last four games so, in terms of confidence, obviously, were not bubbling.

We've been working very hard, but the sad thing is we're falling below the standards we expected.

I feel sorry for the players because they have been very dedicated and I've kept saying to them the win will come but it will take time.

The Australian insists that despite the poor start to his career as Scotland coach, his confidence in his own ability has not faltered but he admits his side face another tough test against Ireland.

My confidence as a coach hasnt dropped at all. I knew this was going to happen, he said.

Weve been losing games and Ive been criticised but Ive been through a lot worse than this.

Scotland have one injury doubt for the trip to Dublin with flanker Cameron Mather struggling to overcome a shoulder injury. If the Glasgow player fails to make it he will be replaced by Edinburghs Allister Hogg.

The Scotland team to play Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations at Lansdowne Road on Saturday 27 March: C Paterson (Edinburgh, captain); S Danielli (Bath), T Philip (Edinburgh), A Henderson (Glasgow), S Webster (Edinburgh); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (The Borders); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), G Bulloch (Glasgow), B Douglas (The Borders), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), J White (Sale Sharks), S Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby), Cameron Mather (Glasgow) or Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)

Replacements: R Russell (Saracens), G Kerr (Leeds), N Hines (Edinburgh), A Hogg (Edinburgh) or Jon Petrie (Glasgow), M Blair (Edinburgh), B Laney (Edinburgh), D Lee (Edinburgh).