Yesterday was 12 months to the day since Matt Williams' first game in charge of Scotland. Although one senses the home media remain sceptical about an outsider coaching them, last week's sleeves-rolled-up effort in Paris has given him some breathing space as well as getting their rugby public more behind the Australian and his team.

Not surprisingly therefore, the Scottish 22 which did duty in the Stade de France last Saturday will wear the same numbers against Ireland tomorrow.

"I think it's a justified reward for a very positive effort by all involved there (Paris). We'll need as much cohesion as possible. We're obviously up against a team that are tournament favourites, that Willie (Anderson) and I know very well; the most talented Irish team perhaps since the War. It's the individual flair of this particular opposition that makes it such a difficult task to prepare for and beat."

Williams cited the performance in Rome and the individuality of Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie and Geordan Murphy. "We purposely kept the team we prepared with prior to France together."

Unlike Ireland, they have no injury worries, while Simon Taylor started a second outing on loan to Saracens on Wednesday night prior to his anticipated comeback for Edinburgh the weekend after this.

As for Ireland's midfield problems it was clear from his comments that the Scots are preparing to face a midfield of Shane Horgan and Kevin Maggs. "They are two fine centres and I personally think Shane Horgan is one of the best centres in the world. I picked him every game when I was at Leinster. He is a very, very good player, always hits the gain line, while Kevin Maggs never lets Ireland down. That's the real plus in Irish rugby, their depth, especially in the backs. They have a lot of class players. But we've got to worry about us."

You sense that the arrival of Anderson has been good for Williams, as much for having a long-standing friend working alongside him as for the Ulsterman's technical expertise when it comes to forward play and his general assistance.

For Anderson, a former Irish captain who's also coached the Irish pack back in the early 90s as well as several of this team at London Irish, Leinster or under-age level (he even coached Anthony Foley when he was in the first year of the IRFU Academy 13 seasons ago), tomorrow's match cannot be an ordinary game.

Speaking in the dug-out beside the main pitch in Murrayfield, which is surprisingly sheltered from the gusting wind outside on a sunny but icy day, Anderson points out that he's been in similar positions before, such as when playing Ulster during his time with Leinster.

"Murrayfield, Lansdowne Road, Twickenham, these are no places for mixed emotions, and my focus is totally with Scotland. I'm preparing a group of guys who have been fantastic, they've worked hard and come Saturday, it's 15 against 15, not for any moment will I want anything other than the Scottish team to win."

Such is the professionalism, passion and innate sense of loyalty he invariably brings to any rugby encounter he is involved in, you don't doubt Anderson for a second. Nevertheless, it must give him a rare insight into the opposition.

"Yeah, you know what makes these guys tick, when you've worked with them to help you to get to this level, so yes, you know their good points and the areas you can attack them. Having said that, they're a wonderful side, and a product of the Irish Academy and the Irish provincial structure."

By contrast, Scotland are about five years behind Ireland in terms of their system and production line. "What we have to work on for Saturday is very simple. We have to build on last week's performance, with a fairly basic game but performed well, we have to ensure that everyone steps up another level. When we have set-pieces in the opposition 22 we have to convert them. We have to improve our discipline and we have to play for the full 80 minutes on the clock."

"Traditionally Murrayfield is a tough place for Irish sides to come to. I suppose I'm one of the people who knows best. I came here on three occasions and we won once, back in '85. This is one of the best Irish sides ever, a pack that can produce good ball and a backline all of whom could go on the Lions, and a number of world-class players on a par with maybe England, Wales or even France."

On the day, it's about who wants it most, Anderson maintains, with Scotland approaching ever game like a cup tie, and drawing comparisons with Burnley against Liverpool in the FA Cup. "But that's the X factor that Ireland have. They could be beaten up front, get only 25 per cent of the ball and still win. And that is down to the genius of O'Driscoll particularly. However, I've always rated Shane Horgan as one of the outstanding inside centres I've coached, and Denis Hickie and Geordan Murphy have massive gas."

Nevertheless, there's something more than a little unnerving about the opposition coaching staff having such insider knowledge.