Six Nations 2024: Ireland v Scotland - Grant Gilchrist on Rome loss and Dublin test
- Published
Gilchrist addresses the Scotland team after their loss in Italy
Grant Gilchrist admits Scotland were architects of their own downfall in Italy and went through a "dark couple of days" after the defeat in Rome.
The visitors were in command at 22-10 but faded and lost 31-29 to virtually end their Six Nations title hopes.
The lock refutes that the side imploded but accepts Scotland got "too loose".
"We're devastated with how the game went and the opportunity we let slip by," said 33-year-old Gilchrist, who is poised to face Ireland on Saturday.
"We identified from the World Cup that we need to be stronger mentally, we need to manage momentum in games better, and clearly it's still a work in progress.
"There's no quick fixing these things. I don't necessarily agree we are imploding but it was clear the blueprint of how we can play and we did go away from that. Without intentionally doing it we got way too loose."
Scotland's defeat at Stadio Olimpico meant they are not well-placed to take advantage of Ireland's surprise defeat against England at Twickenham.
Gregor Townsend's side conceded 21 unanswered Italian points and seven consecutive penalties as they blew a 12-point lead.
As a result, Scotland still have an arithmetical chance of being crowned champions - but it requires a highly improbable series of events.
"Yes that was a double blow but the first blow was enough for me," added Edinburgh second row Gilchrist. "You couldn't give me more of a blow than losing a game of rugby for my country that I know we were more than good enough to win.
"But because of our own doing we allowed ourselves to get into a game where we come out on the wrong side of the result. Couldn't be more devastated."
Scotland now head to Dublin knowing a win would at least give them the Triple Crown, which they have not won since 1990.
Standing in their way is the side Gilchrist says are "arguably the best team in the world" and one that thrashed Scotland in the World Cup - but the forward is relishing the challenge and the spotlight.
"Through our own play we've set the bar a lot higher than any other Scotland team that I've ever been part of and that pressure is a privilege," he said.
"It's a privilege to wear the jersey, it's a privilege to play in a team that's good enough to be expecting to get huge results and to win all these big games.
"We're not going to shy away from pressure. Pressure comes with big games and big moments and that's why we play the game."
Gilchrist carries the ball into contact in the loss against Italy