Profiles of the 2015 Rugby World Cup teams.

Scotland rugby coach Vern Cotter

Scotland rugby coach Vern Cotter Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Scotland approach the World Cup with an optimism laced with caution.

They look to have significantly upped their physicality since the whitewash in the Six Nations and there is a predatory dimension to the backline that is encouraging.

Predictable for so long with ball in hand, Vern Cotter's team now look like they have players capable of doing damage.

Scotland had reached the knockout stages of every World Cup until 2011 when they went out in the pool stages.

As part of Pool B they are unlikely to beat the Springboks, and will face tough challenges from Samoa and Japan. They're only guaranteed win looks like it will be Namibia.

Backs

Full-back: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow)

Wings: Sean Lamont (Glasgow), Sean Maitland (London Irish/ENG), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow), Tim Visser (Harlequins/ENG)

Centres: Mark Bennett (Glasgow), Peter Horne (Glasgow), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow)

First-fives: Finn Russell (Glasgow), Duncan Weir (Glasgow)

Halfbacks: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh); Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester/ENG, capt), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow)

Forwards

Back-rows: David Denton (Edinburgh), John Hardie (Unattached), Josh Strauss (Glasgow), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan/FRA), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow)

Locks: Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow), Richie Gray (Castres/FRA), Tim Swinson (Glasgow)

Hookers: Fraser Brown (Glasgow), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh)

Props: Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Ryan Grant (Glasgow), Gordon Reid (Glasgow), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Jon Welsh (Newcastle/ENG)

Coach

Vern Cotter
 
-AFP/ BBC