Six Nations: Scots seeking to atone for "unacceptable" Dublin display CAPTAIN Ross Ford has described the performance by Scotland against Ireland at the weekend as "unacceptable." Ford told yesterday how his Scotland team are desperate to make amends for their lacklustre showing with a victory in Italy on Saturday to avoid the RBS Six Nations wooden spoon. After promising showings, albeit in defeat, against England, Wales and France, the Scots" progress was brought to an abrupt halt by the 32-14 loss in Dublin. The result extended Scotland's winless run to six matches and handed head coach Andy Robinson a record of 11 losses in 14 Six Nations fixtures. It also means that, for the third successive year, a win on the final weekend of the championship is a must to avoid the ignominy of finishing sixth. Scotland need a first win in Rome since 2006 to finish ahead of the Azzurri. Ford was bullish about his side's prospects and denied the revelation of a coaching reshuffle at the Scottish Rugby Union would have an on-field impact as Scotland bid to win for the first time since the Rugby World Cup, where they were eliminated at the group stages for the first time. "I don't think things have gone wrong off the pitch," said the Edinburgh hooker. Things on the pitch haven't been ideal but we've shown a lot of improvements from where we were last season. We could have had more wins than we have just now, but it's down to our own doing. The boys are just desperate to get a win for all that effort we've put in - we need something to show for it. We've had opportunities when we could have won two out of the four games, but as it is we're going to Rome and we need to get this win. It's all in our hands. We've got the game to beat Italy. There are concerns Robinson, who is contracted until the 2015 World Cup, might resign if Scotland lose at Stadio Olimpico, thereby extending Scotland's run to seven straight losses for the first time since 1998. However, Robinson is understood to have support from SRU chiefs and the indications are that he is planning for the future, with former Ospreys coach Scott Johnson announced as senior assistant coach late last year and set to arrive for the summer tour. And further coaching reform has emerged during the Six Nations. On the morning of the Wales match last month it was revealed defence coach Graham Steadman's contract was not being renewed and Rome is to be his final match in the role. The SRU this week confirmed Matt Taylor will move from Queensland, where he has been defence coach of Super 15 side the Reds, to succeed Steadman and will also work with Glasgow. Italy will also be Scotland attack coach Gregor Townsend's final game before taking over as head coach at Glasgow, with incumbent Sean Lineen taking on a recruitment role. Ford was adamant the changes have not been a distraction. He said: "We're all professional players. We've got a big game this weekend and that's our sole focus. Ford was at a loss to explain the Aviva Stadium defeat but has vowed Scotland will respond. He said: "We've been wondering where that game, where that performance came from, because it's not what we've shown in this championship. It was nowhere near where we need to be. We let ourselves down on Saturday, but we're well aware we've got the ability to win the game (against Italy).