Can Scotland actually win the World Cup?

It's the question tentatively on everyone's lips heading into the opener with South Africa on Sunday, and it's usually met with a cautious, slightly nervous chuckle. Seriously though...can we?

Gregor Townsend has been reluctant to say it outright but it's the unspoken implication in much of the hype in the buildup to the big kickoff. He's taken Scotland to a level of international prominence we've never seen before, ranked fifth in the world, and even landing in the Pool of Death alongside the two best sides in the world in Ireland and South Africa has done little to quell the rampant optimism sweeping the nation.

We at Record Sport though are nailing our colours to the mast. Yes we can. And here are some of the biggest names in rugby who agree with us.

Former London Wasps wing Kenny Logan, who went to three world cups with Scotland, says: "I know we could probably beat anybody in the world on our day. In the previous World Cups we all thought we were better than what we are, but this team's very established.

"They're not scared of playing Ireland or South Africa. But Scotland can go into this knowing that if they can compete with them, they've got as good a back division as any other team in the world."

31-time cap Rory Lawson says: "For us to be in a position whereby we're fifth in the world is truly remarkable. It's big right hook for Scottish rugby to be able to punch well above its weight."

Thom Evans' prodigious career came to an early end with injury but the former Glasgow Warriors full-back is full of optimism for the current crop of Scots. He said: “For me, Scotland should be very optimistic going into this Rugby World Cup. With the current belief that Townsend has instilled in them, to their ambitious mindset to attack from anywhere, I genuinely believe they can beat any team in the world on their day!”

A word from south of the border now as retired England great Mike Tindall wasn't blowing the horn quite as loudly. But he reckons FInn Russell and Ben white could be the key to a major splash, even despite the nightmare pool the Scots have ended up in. He said: “I think it’s the best Scotland squad in 30 years. It’s a complete team, with an absolute genius at 10, a great 9, a great pack and they’ve got backs to burn all the way through. It’s been a long long time since anyone could name a complete Scottish team from 1-15, and now people could do it from 1-23.

“I think they’ve got a really bad draw, they’ve got very unlucky - if they were on the other side of the draw they’d definitely fancy a semi-final. But I think they’ve got the skills up their sleeve, even in that group they’re in, to cause an upset that’ll take it to a points draw, whether that’s beating South Africa or beating Ireland.

“Do I think they’ll beat them both? No, but I think they could get one good performance away and cause a few problems. I hope that’s true, as Scotland have been one of the best teams to watch over the last few years, and so I hope they get what they deserve.”

And John Jeffrey, chairman of the Scottish Rugby Union board, says: “I think this is the best Scotland team ever. If you look at where we’re ranked, fifth in the world, that’s the highest we’ve ever been ranked. And also if you look at the way we play, we’ve got back to the way that is traditionally Scottish. We play a game that suits us. And there’s no reason why, despite being in the supposed group of death, we can’t qualify from the group.”