Game No1 and Scotland must lay down a marker
The waiting is almost over. I have been excited about the World Cup ever since Japan were awarded it many years ago now because it is great for the growth of the game to take it to Asia for the first time.
every other tournament has been in a ‘rugby country’ but we are breaking into new territory here and that is what makes it so exciting.
It should be a really cracking tournament, with a number of teams genuine contenders — which makes a change from the previous two occasions when the All Blacks were red-hot favourites and went on to win it.
New Zealand will be up there again this time but they have company, with South Africa, england and, possibly, Australia and Wales believing they can win the Webb ellis Cup on November 2.
Scotland’s opponents tomorrow, Ireland, would have been on that list 12 months ago but they have dropped off slightly and are not the force they were when they were winning the Grand Slam and beating the All Blacks last year.
Bizarrely, they go into the World Cup ranked No 1, which just proves that the world rankings in rugby are more complicated to understand than Brexit.
The reason they have dropped off slightly is down to their half-backs.
When they had their brilliant 2018, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton were the best half-backs in the world, controlling the game with the tactical kicking from Murray and the game management and creativity from Sexton.
Their form has dropped off — not by much but enough for them to lose the close games.
This is a trend that Scotland will hope continues. Ireland are a strong team, the quality of their players is very high but they have lost the aura they had when they were winning the Grand Slam.
The Scots must target this game to lay down a marker that screams ‘we are going to make an impact in this World Cup’.
Gregor Townsend has picked a very experienced team. It is a safe selection, with Ryan Wilson picked ahead of new boy Blade Thomson and Tommy Seymour ahead of pocket-dynamo Darcy Graham.
I would have gone the other way. I like what Thomson and Graham bring to this team but I can see why Gregor has gone with experience.
Scotland’s tactics will be interesting. everyone knows that Townsend wants his team to play with pace with lots of off-loading. The second half against england at Twickenham last March proved how effective this can be when done well.
however, we need to see a slightly different Scotland in this game tomorrow. We need to kick well to test this Irish back three, which is not very experienced and a little makeshift because of the injury to the reliable Rob Kearney.
Finn Russell should bombard them with high balls, even if this tactic leaves small margin of error.
Kick it too long and all you are doing is giving the ball away and inviting Ireland to counter-attack with space.
Get it spot on, win the aerial battle and you start the phase play much nearer the opposition line. A good kick can be made a great kick with a good chase, so this is an area where we can exert real pressure on the Irish.
The forward exchanges is crucial against Ireland. There is always a lot of niggle out there that probably emanates from some of the history between Glasgow and Munster, who have had some battles over the years.
There is certainly no love lost between those players. Maybe this is why Wilson has been picked. To get right amongst the Irish pack, get to Murray and Sexton and be a proper nuisance, which he does very well indeed.
Any small margins you can gain are vital in these tight games and Scotland must get the edge up front to allow the back line to function.
I am looking forward to seeing Duncan Taylor back in the team. he could be a real star for the Scots.
The trouble is, no one in Scotland has really seen him at his best because of the injuries he has had.
Injury-free now and raring to go, he will give good cutting edge in attack, but it is in his defence that he excels.
Against Ireland, in particular against Sexton, a good defence that reads all his wrap-around plays is crucial and Taylor will show his class in this area.
It seems to have been a long time coming but the wait is almost over. The next six weeks will be a roller coaster. Let’s enjoy the ride!