Gregor Townsend has challenged Scotland to banish their Ireland hoodoo before their showdown at the 2027 World Cup.

Wednesday’s draw in Australia pitted the two sides together in the pool stages of the global showpiece for the third time in succession.

Scotland have lost their last 11 meetings with the Irish, with their last win coming in the 2017 Six Nations, a few months before Townsend took charge.

The winners of Pool D – which also includes the minnows of Uruguay and Portugal – are likely to avoid a formidable round-of-16 clash with France, so the Scotland head coach is aware of the importance of ensuring his team get to a level whereby they feel equipped to get the better of Ireland when they meet Down Under.

“It’s an easier road to the quarter-finals and semi-finals if you can wi

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