Scotland's shattered squad have been given a much-needed lift by Celtic cousins Ireland. After all, the logic goes, if Eddie O'Sullivan's men can push Australia to the brink of defeat, why can't they?

The argument does not take too much knocking down, considering the Scots have suffered three successive heavy losses to Ireland, and their last 10 encounters with the Wallabies have produced an average losing margin of 25 points.

But when it has taken 78 minutes to edge past Fiji and into the quarter-finals, even the smallest of straws needs to be grasped and clung onto for dear life.

'The Irish have been a pretty good side over the last few years, but we can take heart from the way they got stuck into Australia,' said lock Stuart Grimes.

'It showed us what we have to do. If we are pretty physical and meet them early on, we have a chance. Most of us have played in winning sides against Ireland, and I'm confident we can raise our game.'

Admirable as it is, Grimes' thought process seems somewhat flawed.

On the evidence of Saturday's debacle, Scotland do not have a Brian O'Driscoll, a Ronan O'Gara or a Keith Wood to worry the Wallabies.

And they most certainly do not have a Rupeni Caucau, who wrapped up his try double with a sublime 80-metre effort.

They do, however, have a Tom Smith, which is just as well, for if the Lions prop had not been shoved over the line as Scotland launched their last-ditch salvage mission at Aussie Stadium, by now they would be stocking up on the duty frees and heading for home.

'To finally get the win was a massive relief,' admitted Grimes.

'We haven't fully clicked and we haven't been incredibly convincing. 'But we stuck at it. That showed a lot of mental resolve.'

Undeniably, Scotland will think they are capable of disrupting the Australian line-out as Ireland did, especially as it is seen as the strongest part of the game.

They may also fancy their chances of taking on the hosts' tight five, although the advantages soon disappear when comparisons are made with the back of the scrum, especially now Simon Taylor has gone down with an injury to his left knee.

The Lions number eight woke with the injury yesterday morning despite apparently not suffering a problem during the game.

Although team doctor James Robson claimed the player would miss a couple of days' training and be fit for the weekend, there were enough concerns to send Taylor for a scan.

'Simon is limping,' said Robson.

'But we are optimistic he will be fit for Saturday.'