Vern Cotter made strides with Scotland during the Autumn but then endured a poor Six Nations © Getty Images

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Main Issues

Following a positive autumn in which Scotland beat Argentina and ran New Zealand fairly close, they were expected to make their mark during this year's Six Nations. That they ended up with the wooden spoon has not been allowed to derail Vern Cotter's fledgling reign but results must improve, and quickly. Cotter has also put his faith in three centres who are all currently in the treatment room. If one, or more, does not pull through by September then Scotland could find themselves exposed.

Squad Strength

Cotter has picked a 46-man training squad that features several new faces, including South Africa-born duo Josh Strauss and WP Nel. There is also a recall for John Barclay, who has been in good form for the Scarlets. The hopefuls will get a chance to impress their new coach as they head to the Pyrenees for an army boot camp. It is hard to judge the quality of the squad given it includes a fair few players who are new to international rugby, but Cotter could come to rue turning his back on the likes of Dougie Fife, Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie.

Injury Concerns

Scotland's biggest worry is in the centres, where Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar and Matt Scott are all currently injured. The talented trio have been included in the provisional squad, and are all on schedule to return before the World Cup kicks off. But will they have enough games in the tank by September 23? David Denton has completed concussion protocols, having been ruled out since April, while Ruaridh Jackson has been included despite seeing his season at Wasps restricted to just two appearances by a serious knee injury.

What are the locals saying

"Cotter has selected four players whose regular rugby is many, so many, steps below the World Cup intensity that they will have difficulty imagining the collisions come the Big Bang, never mind winning them. We normally worry about uncapped players being asked to step up to World Cup standards, now we are worrying about players almost uncapped at pro-team level being fed to the furnace." - Iain Morrison, The Scotsman