The Scots have played their best rugby when they have been chasing lost causes, coming back in the second half to score tries against both Wales and England even though any chance of turning the tables had long gone.

There are huge question marks over a Scottish defence that has leaked 13 tries to the Welsh and English in their last two matches but, according to Paterson, attack could well be the best form of defence.

The creative Edinburgh full-back argued: If you look at the teams, the bones of it are that at the start of the championship everybody, including England I think, didnt know what to expect and played safety first but all credit to Wales.

They have come out as champions because from the word go they had a go.
Its taken us until the end of the championship to remove the shackles and really have a crack at the other sides.

Paterson accepts that Scotland, who often appear constrained by their defensive structures at the start of games, need to go on the attack earlier in matches.

Its almost that when we lose the nerves and the worries we can play some good stuff, he agreed.

It will lead to mistakes but if its exciting and passionate and if we are playing a quick game and offloading in the tackle and having a go then its more likely that we can score some tries.

Scotland did that at Twickenham and Paterson said: The policy we adopted in the second half was to really have a go.

If you play like that, as Wales have shown, you will score tries. You will also make mistakes but the mistakes are sometimes overlooked if there is a higher chance of scoring tries.