2015 Rugby World Cup Preview: Scotland
By Matt Findlay
In what many consider the most exciting pool of the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) outside the Wallabies' pool of death, Scotland is one of four sides in pool B considered a strong chance to progress.
Outside South Africa, considered specials for the quarter-finals, Scotland, Japan, USA and Manu Samoa are set to provide some desperate, enterprising rugby in their respective bids to progress.
Scottish head coach Vern Cotter is certain he's picked the perfect 31-man squad to do just that.
Like most of the RWC squads, Cotter caused some controversy with the release of his squad, naming back-rower Josh Strauss despite the fact he still hasn't qualified for Scottish selection.
The Glasgow captain qualifies under residential grounds on Saturday, September 19, a day after the RWC starts and just four days before Scotland's first game against Japan.
Outside Strauss' selection, Cotter named a reasonably experienced squad of 17 forwards and 14 backs, including Alasdair Dickinso