The Scots - heavily backed to land the championship wooden spoon once again - surprised everyone by giving France an almighty scare in Paris before succumbing to a late Damien Traille try.

But their encouraging 16-9 defeat will have lifted confidence levels significantly ahead of Saturdays Murrayfield showdown with Ireland - a point readily acknowledged by Murphy.

The Scots played fantastically well against France. Many people felt the French didnt play well but I think that had a lot to do with Scotlands performance, he said.

They were unlucky to lose. If just one or two things had gone their way it could have been a very different outcome.

They didnt look like the Scottish team everyone was expecting going into the Six Nations and theyre a huge threat to us this weekend.

Ireland enjoyed a winning start against Italy at the Stadio Flaminio on Sunday but the expected points blitz failed to emerge thanks to a ferocious display from the Azzurri forwards.

Eventually the Irish backs were able to make their extra class tell with Murphy, Peter Stringer and Denis Hickie showing clinical finishing skills to break the Italian resistance.

Murphy said: Thats the best Italy side Ive experienced. Theyve played quality games in the past, turning over the Welsh and the Scots.

They looked very strong and made it very tough in all areas, pushing us hard right until the final whistle. We had to stick at it to win.