Rugby has changed and so have Scotland since their last World Cup experience, a French adventure that coiled up into itself in common with the prevailing mood of a 2007 tournament obsessed with defensive attrition and kicking.
By the end, Scotland were left ruing the loss of their natural desire to take sides on with ball in hand. They retreated to the dressing rooms of the Stade de France with the coil having only been released in the late stages of the quarter-final defeat to an Argentina side lacking in creativity.
Too little, too late and a huge missed opportunity.
Four years on, Scotland’s ebullience is being encouraged by coaches Andy Robinson, Gregor Townsend and Graham Steadman as the sport itself strives to regain its wings and entertainment value. But is the squad capable of turning promise to greater success?
The pack has vital experience and the youthful quality in Richie Gray and Richie Vernon.
And, while the back division may not have the quality of the All Blacks or Australia, in Joe Ansbro, Sean Lamont, Nick de Luca and Max Evans there are genuine attacking threats.
Up front, the work of Geoff Cross in the gym and on his scrummaging technique have not only brought him up to Test standard but also provided an alternative to Euan Murray to try to overcome Scotland’s tighthead woes.
The stand-off position remains a work in progress and a source of debate with Ruaridh Jackson looking to step up his attacking ability and sharpen his match control skills, while Dan Parks offers experienced tactical nous.
Tomorrow and over the next four weeks of pool games, there will be key battlegrounds where the intensity and pressure will only increase until the climax when Robinson leads his charges against his own nation, England, at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday 1 October.
Robinson is a meticulous planner and, recognising a very different challenge to that of his last World Cup, with England in 2003, is keen to encourage simple progress week to week. He also believes, however, that an ability throughout the squad to utilise different modes of attack could hold the secret to their success.
