Williams search for a first RBS 6 Nations win goes on to an eighth game after Scotland crashed to a 40-13 defeat at the hands of under-strength Ireland at Murrayfield.

The home side made a positive start and Hugo Southwell, whose charged-down kick led to Frances heartbreaking winning try last week, touched down in the corner to hint at a shock result in Edinburgh.

But lock-forward duo Malcolm OKelly and Paul OConnell crossed before the break to set Ireland on their way to a second away win in this seasons championship.

The victory was achieved too easily for the liking of the Scottish fans and was in stark contrast to the battling display Williams side put up in Paris last weekend.

A crunch match with Italy  pinpointed before the RBS 6 Nations started as a wooden spoon decider and now looking increasingly that way  follows in two weeks for the Scots in Edinburgh.

But despite pressure now mounting on Williams ahead of the crucial match against the Azzurri, Paterson believes he is the right man for Scotland.

He said: Its not fair at all for questions to be asked about Matt. The players have to take the blame for what happened against Ireland.

We are out there, we are the ones who can do something about it. We need to carry out his ideas to the best of our ability when we get on the pitch.

We are bitterly disappointed by the defeat against Ireland. But you live the dream that it takes one win to get back up there.

If we can do that then the supporters will believe in us and be right behind us. But we as players need to perform.

Paterson believes the absence of captain Brian ODriscoll and Gordon DArcy from the Ireland midfield might actually have worked against Scotland, with Kevin Maggs and Shane Horgan more suited to the poor condition of the pitch.

The Edinburgh utility back said: With the pitch the way it was it might have suited them to have hard runners like those two.

Kevin Maggs is an experienced player with a lot of power and Shane Horgan is great at getting his arms free in the tackle and off-loading.

And it might have put a bit more expectation on us with them missing. Against Australia and France we were written off and did well.

Then against South Africa we were expected to do well but did not perform. Maybe Scotland are better when tagged as big underdogs.

It is difficult to say with any certainty who will go into the game between Scotland and Italy as favourites given both teams current form, with the latters spirited performance against Ireland perhaps giving them the edge.

Paterson certainly knows John Kirwans team are not to be underestimated, not least because of last seasons match in Rome.

He said: I think people used to take them lightly but not any more. Obviously they beat us last year and we know what to expect from them.

They used to be seen as the whipping boys but they have improved a lot and we know we will need to play well to win.