Jamison Gibson-Park doesn't see any reason why "classy" Scotland can’t compete for the Guinness Six Nations title.
Gregor Townsend’s Scotland, who out-scored Italy five tries to one in their 31-19 victory, have been steadily improving in recent seasons.
Townsend, who took over in 2017, has led Scotland to multiple wins over England and France but consistency across the championship has eluded the Dark Blues, last winners of the title in 1999.
Saturday’s victory over the Azzurri added to autumn wins over Fiji, Portugal and Australia.
Scrum-half Gibson-Park was player of the match as Ireland opened their campaign with a 27-22 bonus-point win over England on Saturday and was asked if he believed Scotland, who host Simon Easterby's side on Sunday, were genuine contenders.
"100%, they’re a classy side," he said.
"I didn’t get to see much of their match today but they’re playing good footy, and they’re stacked full of really good individuals, so it will be a tough challenge.
"I know it’s been a long time since they won but there’s no reason they can’t."
Ireland have been Scotland’s bogey team since 2017, winning 10 games in a row across the Six Nations, World Cup and Autumn Nations Cup.
The New Zealand native, who scored the first try against England on his 39th cap, knows that Ireland, ranked two in the world and back-to-back champions, always have a target on their back.
"That’s the case for a lot of teams now," said the 32-year-old (below) .
"We’ve kind of been near enough to the top of the rankings now for a while and like, I know myself that if I’m coming up against a quality side you want to put your best performance out there as best you can.
"Next week will be no different.
"Potentially [it’s the best Scotland team], yeah, but what a place to go and what an opportunity for us to go there and have a crack at them."
The win over England was Ireland’s best performance since beating France away at the start of last year’s championship.
Andy Farrell’s side were far from their best during the Autumn Nations Series when they beat Argentina, Fiji and Australia and lost to New Zealand.
"We were all a bit frustrated after November," said the Leinster back.
"We obviously won three out of four games but we didn't feel as though we got much going.
"The second half out there tonight was pleasing so obviously there's still loads to work on.
"We probably should have scored more points in the first half but plenty to look at next week for sure."
Meanwhile, Gibson-Park hailed the performance of Six Nations debutant Sam Prendergast.
"You’ve got a serious player on your hands," he said of the 21-year-old Leinster out-half, who won his fourth cap.
"I thoroughly enjoy playing with him. He’s so calm under pressure.
"Out there [in] the first-half, wasn’t really going our way but we were able to swing things around.
"But he’s a serious operator. He’s been very lucky to be able to come through the system and he’s trained against some quality teams in Leinster.
"When he wasn’t playing, he was able to train, and we saw his game developing there, which is the sign, I think, of a quality player."
Interim head coach Easterby will name his side to face Scotland on Friday with Finlay Bealham (leg) and Mack Hansen (leg) doubts after picking up injuries against England, while Tadhg Furlong (calf) and Joe McCarthy (concussion) are continuing rehab.
Watch Scotland v Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations on Sunday from 2pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
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Watch Scotland U20s v Ireland U20s in the Six Nations on Saturday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
