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Ireland is treating its final Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday as a championship decider - even though it is unlikely to be anything of the sort.

Only a surprise win for a so-far unimpressive England side in France can give Ireland the slimmest chance of retaining the title it won last season for the first time in 24 years.

Victory over last-place and winless Scotland would still give Ireland the prestigious Triple Crown awarded for beating the other three British Isles sides.

Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam win was its first since 1948 and it has beaten all the other so-called home unions only 10 times since the competition began in 1883, with gaps as large as 49 and 33 years between Triple Crowns.

"We're playing Scotland in a one-off Test match which we see as a final," Ireland coach Declan Kidney said.

"The Scots are known for ruining Irish parties and they'll want to do that once more."

Ireland needs a 50-point swing in its favor against France along with an English victory to finish in first place, so Saturday's match is more about pride.

"To be in the position of challenging for a Triple Crown is surreal," Ireland wing Keith Earls said.

"My father remembers 1985 and now I have a chance to go down in history as well.

"It's a brilliant feeling but it will be a tough day."

SAPA