Sunday 5 February 2017 17:18, UK
Scotland second row Jonny Gray says that the pain of previous defeats in the Six Nations drove them on to their 27-22 victory over Ireland.
The Dark Blues secured their first opening day win in the Six Nations since 2006 at Murrayfield on Saturday, courtesy in no small part to a blistering first half-hour which blew Ireland away.
Two Stuart Hogg tries in addition to Alex Dunbar's set-piece score gave the Scots a 21-5 lead after just 29 minutes, and though Ireland fought back to take the lead in the second half, Greig Laidlaw secured the win with two late penalties.
"The experiences we've had before, there's been a lot of pain in the Scotland shirt before," said Gray. "It's how you learn from that. We've still got a lot to grow.
"Ultimately it comes down to times like that at the end. It was hard, the boys were tired and sore. It was tough out there. There could have been a moment when we put our heads down but we knew we had to grind and luckily we got the win in the end and we're absolutely delighted.
"Personally I've got a lot of improvements to make but it's great to have guys like my brother [Richie] alongside me, sharing his experience, talking to Greig and seeing how he would deal with things, while there are other guys stepping up too.
"To stick together, have the belief, have Greig kicking over the points and then the game management from Finn Russell and other guys stepping up to see out the win, it was a special day to get a win over a tough Ireland side.
"We talk a lot about not making the same mistakes. In life and in rugby when you make mistakes it's important to learn from them. Personally and as a team we've got a lot of improvements to make. We're happy, it's a good start but it's going to be tough going forward."
Scotland face France at the Stade de France next Sunday, acutely aware of the fact that they have not won in Paris since 1999.
"The belief is there. We want to do the jersey proud and you do that by making yourself better," Gray added.
"That's just the first game. We'll enjoy this and have an extra day's recovery and then back on it for France.
"I think it's going to be very tough. When you look at the French side, the individuals they've got, they're unbelievable talents. We're under no illusions how tough it's going to be out there. It's going to be very physical when you look at the players and stars they've got in their team."
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3.
