Williams insisted he knew the size of the task confronting him when he took over the coaching reins from Ian McGeechan last November.

But the 37-16 defeat by Ireland on Saturday saw Scotland land the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon for the first time since 1994, and also sent them crashing to their first championship whitewash in 19 years.

With a shortage of world-class talent in the Scottish game, it is difficult to see where Williams can go, but the Australian is ready to follow Irelands example and embark on a long-term strategy.

We can take heart from what we saw on Saturday because Ireland have had a plan in place for four or five years and now theyre reaping the rewards of that, he said.

When I sat down with Chris Paterson and asked him to take up the captaincy, I told him that I thought it was going to be a very hard 18 months ahead of us. Next year is going to be tough as well.

But you dont just change immediately and reach the standard they have set overnight. Winning is a science - that Irish performance is no accident. We have to follow the same plan as them - there is no other way.

Were on the same path. Whether we won or lost on Saturday is irrelevant to the fact that now the process of developing the team begins again.

I have a very good group of young men who work hard and do everything I ask of them, but that still doesnt give you the wins in the short term. The wins will come, but not immediately.

Our playing numbers are small but there is talent around. What we have to do is maximise that talent.