Scotland the brave! But that might not be enough. A RWC special...

Scotland, the land that gave us Kilts, bagpipes, whisky and haggis. It gave us William Wallace, Sean Connory, J.K. Rowling, Alexander Graham Bell. It gave us television, the telephone, the toaster, pencilling and the refrigerator, it even gave us the world's best invention - the deep fried, battared, mars-bars....

But best of all, its given us a national anthem so amazing, it ranks up there with the best in the world!! Most nations have a national anthem that emphasises everything great about that country.... Ohh but not Scotland!! What other nations national athem is completely focused on beating its bordering country??

"oh flower of Scotland." An anthem all about beating the English. You remember them? The team everyone loves to hate!!

At the helm and over seeing Scotlands rugby world Cup campaign is the "maverick" coach Gregor Townsend. An ex-Scottish International himself, and in my opinion a highly underrated coach and a player. He played during the darker times of Scottish rugby during the 1990's, playing from 1993 - 2003. Unfortunately for him, he had the vision to see space and plays 3 or 4 phases before they existed, but was surrounded by players that couldn't.

His playing style has transferred incredibly well into his coaching style, and luckily for him, he has a crop of young, up and coming players that not only have the ability to perform what he asks from him, but have bought in totally to the way he wants them to play the game.

Take a look at SQUIDGERUGBY's video on Scotland to understand more on what I mean. If Scotland can play as they've been coached, it won't matter how many points they conced, they'll be able to put score any team, with their all out attack style of play.

TOO MUCH TOO SOON??!!??

It wouldn't suprise me if Scotlands world Cup was their most successful, they have the players and coaching staff to go all the way.... I just don't feel they are ready!

Russia, as a lower tier side shouldn't cause the Scottish any issues. I can see Samoa being a handful, but Scotland coming good in the 1/4 of the match to see a comfortable victory out. I just don't think that'll be able to dismantle the Irish defence, so I see them losing that one. That leaves them to face Japan in the last group game of the pool stage. Japan will be refreshed from a long break between their games, but Scotland only have a 4 day turn around from their last game. With the heat, humidity and crowd behind Japan, I can see them just pipping Scotland to second place in the group.

With Ireland and Japan finishing 1st and 2nd in the pool, that means an early flight home for the Scottish team.

We will see some amazing attacking rugby from the Scots, we may even see "the try of the tournament" from them. They will definitely win some fans for their out and out attacking style of play, but I think this world Cup is a world Cup too soon. Given another 4yr cycle till the next RWC, and if the Scottish RFU keep their faith in Townsend, 2023 may well be the year of Scotland to do somethi g special and go all the way.

What ever happens I'm sure the players and supporter alike will have an amazing time out in Japan. Plus we will get to hear that amazing national anthem at least 4 times!!