ZOMBIE NATION

Scots left dead and buried before kick-off and Matt says group must build like Irish

IRELAND...............36 SCOTLAND.............14

LONG before 'Zombie' blared over the tannoy on Saturday night, Scotland had played the role of Rugby World Cup's walking dead.

In the words of The Cranberries classic and Ireland's France 2023 anthem, it's the same old theme and even Matt Fagerson believes the problems could be in their heads.

Another group-stage exit, the third early departure at this tournament from the last four attempts and a sense of unfulfilled potential from a side thought by many to be the best ever to pull on the dark blue.

That claim wasn't backed up in the Stade de France as Gregor Townsend's side trailed 26-0 at half-time - the target of an eight-point Scots win to progress had been rendered ridiculous and it was the end of the road.

It was left to Fagerson to try to explain away what had gone wrong and the Glasgow Warrior is adamant they were given a glimpse of what's required to match the best side on the planet by being put through the wringer in Paris.

But the flanker believes patience and togetherness are key if Scotland are to progress from also rans to become contenders in four years.