Scrum of the Earth /

Andrew Henderson doing his Tom Brady impression.

Scotland came out of the World Cup with everything in tact but what was missing was some imagination in the back-line.

Too often they relied on Chris Paterson’s boot and the huge species assembled by Frank Hadden up front. The Six Nations presents a chance for the Scots turn 2007s pragmatic consistency into some adventurous hoofmarks.

The Scots have enough spirit and steel to improve upon last year’s wooden spoon and with England and France at home, they could upset the form book.

Nick De Luca has shown with Edinburgh this year he can be the man to unlock Scotland’s midfield with his aggressive and direct running style and elusive side-step.

Mike Blair will be asked to snipe around the fringes and usher the bundling forwards into areas from which he can release finishers of genuine quality in Rory Lamont and the reborn Simon Danielli - both of whom will be crucial to Scotland’s success.

Kicking is not an issue with Dan Parks and Chris Paterson both solid place-kickers and not afraid to ping the corners. Parks showed in France he is a sound decision maker but if Scotland is to cause a surprise he will have to be a bit more maverick than goose, and ditch the conservatism.

In Jason White Scotland have a potential British & Irish Lions captain, who is more out of the Martin Johnson mould than Gavin Hastings. If the youngsters need inspiration, they can look no further than their sturdy skipper, who will be rummaging around every ruck and smashing into every attacking opposition with no care for his health and safety.

France could come slightly disorganised with many new acquisitions in the team so if Scotland can score an unpredictable victory, the tone will be set for the rest of the tournament.

They are the leftfield choice for the title but could equally find themselves down in the doldrums if they don’t have a change of theory.

One of watch: Andrew Henderson

Prediction: 3rd