Monday 30 January 2017 10:41, UK
Scottish rugby is on an upward curve and Vern Cotter has developed a squad with strength in depth.
Will the Kiwi sign off in style by leading Scotland to their first Six Nations title? It's unlikely but they are now competing to finish in the top half of the table instead of those dreaded annual Wooden Spoon battles with Italy.
Confidence is high after some impressive performances in the autumn while Glasgow's Champions Cup heroics has seen Jonny Gray, Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell being touted for Lions selection.
There is plenty of versatility in the backline with Stormers centre Huw Jones catching the eye in November, and any loose kicking will be punished by the likes of Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour.
Defence is an area that needs improvement after leaking 13 tries in last year's Six Nations, second only to Italy, and Scotland's need to develop a ruthless streak was again highlighted by Australia in November. But with three games at Murrayfield Scotland will feel a top-three finish is an achievable target.
The loss of prop WP Nel with a neck injury is a big blow and places a lot of responsibility on 21-year-old Zander Fagerson.
The Glasgow tighthead scrummaged sides off the park during the Warriors' run to the Champions Cup quarter-finals and is one of their main ball-carriers. He started all three of Scotland's autumn internationals, displaying a maturity beyond his years.
Forwards: Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, John Barclay Scarlets, Cornell Du Preez, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.
Backs: Greig Laidlaw, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Stuart Hogg, Damien Hoyland, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser.
