In early February 2008, Scotland’s rugby fans were full of hope.  A solid performance in the 2007 World Cup, where several of Scotland’s younger stars flourished, raised expectations of an improved, perhaps even winning season in the 6 Nations.

But, as each game progressed, it turned out the optimism was in vain.  A solitary (albeit elating) win against England in the Calcutta Cup was all the Scots could muster.  Wales were dominant throughout and never looked like losing, but losses to France at Murrayfield and Ireland in Dublin were deflating, and a final day defeat to Italy in Rome compounded the underachievement.

But now, one year on, that optimism has been refreshed once again, and there is decent evidence to believe that this time, the hope is justified.  From 1 to 15, into the full squad and even in the coaching staff, Scotland are looking a stronger unit than ever.

In every position, there is, for the first time in a long time, genuine competition for places.  Even Chris Paterson, Scotland’s points machine and most capped player, isn’t assured of his place.  But one thing is assured, and that is how assured the players are beginning to look in a Scotland jersey.

Forward pressure - who will make the starting pack?

In the front row, with the likely starting trio of Jacobsen, Ford and Euan Murray, there is little more needs to be said than this:  They sent South Africa packing.  The Springboks were de-sprung and left powerless at Murrayfield in the autumn.

Ford and Murray are well placed to both gain a place in the British and Irish Lions test sides, which will add further motivation to their campaign.  And any true Scotland fan will know the value of having ‘Chunk’ holding things up on the other side.  All in all, a formidable trio.

As for the second rows, they don’t come much more abrasive than the Hines and Hamilton combo.  Ireland and Wales may have their mobile maulers, and England their bruisers, but Scotland can claim to pack the most punch in the engine room.  And with the likes of former captain Jason White on stand-by, Scotland will prove a daunting prospect in the tight to any of the 6 Nations challengers.

The back row is where competition is hotter than ever.  Despite the long-term injuries of Ross Rennie and David Callam, Scotland can still boast a wealth of choice at 6, 7 and 8 to make all the other nations jealous.

Scott Gray and John Barclay will compete for the openside slot, pitting youth against experience, though Barclay, the younger of the two, has enjoyed more, if limited, international exposure to date.

On the other side, in-form Glasgow flanker Kelly Brown, Scotland’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2007, will battle with the barnstorming Al Stroksoch  and Jason White for the position of the maurading blindside.  It’s hard to imagine which one can tackle the hardest, but they can all inflict a serious amount of damage.  Messrs Jones, O’Gara and Cipriani take note.

At the crucial number 8 position, crowd favourite Ally Hogg, who has rediscovered his early career, line-breaking form for Edinburgh of late, will take on Paris-based Simon Taylor, a two time British Lion and match winner on his day.  We certainly can’t call it. 

Hadden's back-ache: Spoiled for choice in key positions

In the backs there is a similar story: strength in depth all over the park.  If he were representing any other country in the Northern hemisphere (excluding, perhaps, Wales) Chris Cusiter would be one of the first names on the team-sheet.  But in Scotland we have Captain marvel, Mike Blair. 

Nominated for World Player of the Year 2008, he is expected to be a star of the 6 Nations, and Scotland will depend heavily on him to lead the way in their campaign.

Meanwhile Phil Godman may finally be getting used to his position as number one stand-off in Scotland, but despite his young age, he is no longer the new kid in town.  His 2008 form will ensure he is guaranteed a starting spot for his country, but with Ruaridh Jackson hot on his heels, he will need to maintain that consistency and be the pivot around which Scotland builds their winning attacks.

The centres are perhaps the most fascinating area of Scotland’s selection saga – and certainly one that England would love to have.  At present Scotland have not only four centres bang in form, but two accomplished centre partnerships bang in form.  Max Evans and Graeme Morrison with Glasgow, and Ben Cairns and Nick de Luca from Edinburgh. 

The Edinburgh pairing are Frank Hadden’s centres of choice going into the tournament, but the Glasgow boys may cause an upset.  On the outset, the pace and movement of both Cairns and Evans is frightening even for the Brian O’Driscolls of this world, while at 12 it is a question of Morrison’s muscle or De Luca’s flair.

In the back three, much like the back row, Scotland have an abundance of pace, power  and quality to choose from.  Sean Lamont is always good for the pacy, battering ram option, but with Simon Danielli approaching full fitness, his place is far from certain. 

Thom Evans and Simon Webster will battle it out at the other side, while the massive boot and defensive power of Hugo Southwell will push jinky kicking God Chris Paterson all the way at 15.

Horses for courses - Scotland's new crack coaching team

So Scotland’s air of buoyancy is certainly substantiated.  There have been many false dawns in the past, but what makes this fresh, eager squad different from others of recent times is the exciting developments that are going on in the coaching seats.

Frank Hadden is generally regarded as the right man to take Scotland forward, but now he has brought in two new, innovative coaches who know international rugby better than most to help him out.

Former All Black Mike Brewer is in charge of the pack, while the back-line are enjoying input from Scotland legend Gregor Townsend, possibly the most well travelled player in the history of rugby!

With experience of playing for clubs in six of the eight major rugby playing nations between them, and also three World Cups, Brewer and Townsend will bring a veritable feast of rugby experience, nous and know-how to the table, with a young Scottish squad eager to lap up the advice.

They say that a winning formula needs all the individual ingredients to operate successfully.  Well, the ingredients are there.  If Frank Hadden can bind them together in the right way, Scotland may enjoy their best 6 Nations campaign since the new tournament began back in 2000...

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