The 21-year-old Borders half-back won his fifth cap in the 37-16 defeat at Lansdowne Road to give him a full compliment of appearances in this years championship, and he showed further progress in adapting to life as an international.

This whole last season has been a huge learning curve for me, said Cusiter, who has represented Scotland across all age groups.

I was playing for Boroughmuir this time last year so to be at Lansdowne Road 12 months later was unexpected, but I have tried to take it in my stride. Hopefully I have now acclimatised myself to this level and I want to play in the next Six Nations.

Cusiter, who was replaced by Mike Blair midway through the second half, was pleased with his performance in Dublin and has taken comfort from what he felt was his most assured outing in a Scotland jersey to date.

I thought I started nervously but became more confident as the game wore on. The start of the second half was the most comfortable I have felt out of my five international matches. I feel like I am getting there, he said.

Defeat left Scotland rooted to the foot of the Six Nations table and completed their first championship whitewash since 1985, which was also the last year Ireland landed the Triple Crown.