Grand Slam hero Roy Laidlaw has told Scotland to forget about winning the Rugby World Cup and merely focus on advancing from a tough Pool B.
Scottish Rugby chief Mark Dodson set the bold ambition of winning the tournament in June 2012 as part of a four-year plan which has yet to bear fruit.
Scotland, who finished with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon in March, first play Japan in Gloucester on September 23. Next they play the United States (September 27), South Africa (October 3) and Samoa (October 10), in a potentially decisive game in Newcastle.
Four years ago, Scotland failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Laidlaw believes that has to be the first target for Vern Cotter’s side, dismissing Dodson’s lofty aim as unrealistic. “I don’t think it’s a realistic aim,” he said. I think qualifying for the quarter-finals would be a realistic aim for us.
“I always worry about Scotland.
“The South Africa game is probably a bit above Scotland. Japan and USA will be difficult, but I think we can progress to the quarter-finals if we can beat Samoa.”
Laidlaw, who was scrum-half in Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam triumph, was speaking from Jed Forest on the Rugby World Cup trophy tour and with 99 days to go to the opening game between hosts England and Fiji on September 18 at Twickenham.
He is pleased with the advances made under Cotter, but thinks a lack of strength in depth has been exposed.
Scotland’s shortcomings have led to the active recruitment of overseas players, enticing them to Glasgow and Edinburgh in a bid to meet World Rugby’s residency rules.