Bundee Aki: Andy Farrell expects Ireland centre to sign new deal

Farrell said that Scotland, who are chasing a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a first title since 1999, “can beat anyone on their day, as they have proven”.

Gregor Townsend’s side set up a seismic Super Saturday with their thrilling 50-40 win over leaders France in the penultimate round of fixtures, while Ireland’s gritty win over Wales kept them in with a shout on the final day.

“As far as Scotland’s concerned, the genuine respect we have every single year, we say it the whole time, they’re a fantastic squad and team and given any type of room to play the way they want to play,” he said.

For Ireland, who rebounded from an opening-game defeat by the French with wins over Italy, England and Wales, Farrell admitted there was “certainly room to do better”.

“We’ve had one really good performance [against England] but we know that Test match rugby, it doesn’t all go your way and you need to find your way.

“All the best teams have track records of being able to do that. Three out of three in the last three, getting over the disappointment of the one before that, but still room for improvement and putting ourselves in a position to see if we can perform at our best when it really matters. That’s the position you want to put yourself in.”

No matter what happens in Dublin, the fate of the Six Nations title rests with in France, who host England in their final game.

England head coach Steve Borthwick is under pressure after three consecutive defeats, but Farrell said: “when a team’s a little bit wounded anything can happen”.

“Everyone knows the players they’ve got and the coaches they’ve got and what they’re capable of,” he added.

“But at the same time France are hurting as well and they’re in the driving seat as far as a home game and they know they can win a championship.

“It’s fantastic for neutrals watching the Six Nations this weekend but nothing would surprise me, exactly the same as last weekend.”