McInally talks up Scotland's World Cup hopes

Stuart McInally feels Scotland’s injury troubles during the Six Nations will stand them in good stead at the World Cup. Scotland only finished above Italy during this year’s Six Nations, but there were extenuating circumstances for Gregor Townsend’s side, as key players including Hamish Watson, John Barclay, Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Huw Jones missed either all or part of the campaign.

That meant inexperienced figures such as Darcy Graham, Sam Johnson and Jamie Ritchie were thrust into the spotlight and McInally believes that could actually prove a blessing in disguise, as those players now have plenty of international experience to take into the upcoming World Cup in Japan. “Those guys will be better off for that now,” McInally said.

“I actually think the Six Nations was really good for us in terms of allowing us to blood players and get some of the younger guys some more experience. “They’ve come through some tough games. They have been blooded in now and guys who maybe only had a handful of caps are now into double figures. That is only a good thing.”

McInally captained Scotland during the Six Nations and is expected to retain the role at the World Cup. Scotland will step up their preparations for the tournament when they take on France in Nice on Saturday and the hooker says they will have revenge on their minds following their 27-10 defeat to Les Bleus during the Six Nations. “After that game in the Six Nations we debriefed it, learned the lessons there and then,” McInally added.

“Against the French you need to be switched on for the full game. They’ve got players that if you make the wrong decisions against them they can score tries. “It’s just all the little things, making sure they’re right and we’ll stand a good chance.”