Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby believes his side will embrace expectation as they seek an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations title.

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby said Tuesday the challenge for him and his players in their bid to become the first side to win three successive Six Nations titles is to "stay ahead of the pack".

Scotland was dealt a major blow ahead of the Six Nations when captain Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out of the rugby tournament because of injury. The Australian-born center sustained a pectoral muscle injury during a training session with his club,