Might Scotland's fitness be a World Cup factor?

FLYING FIT: Scotland's flanker Jamie Ritchie (2-L) is tackled by France's lock Bastien Chalureau (C) and France's flanker Paul Boudehent (L) during the pre-World Cup match at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne. Pic: Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

Scotland reckon their fitness could give them a real crack at World Cup glory next month after they stormed back against France for a second successive week and came agonisingly close to winning away in St Etienne on Saturday. Their 30-27 loss at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard saw Scotland come from 27-10 down, scoring three unanswered tries in the last 20 minutes and losing the game only after conceding a late penalty.

It came seven days after they had been 21-3 down at half-time at Murrayfield in the first of their two World Cup warm-up games against the French but, despite being down to 14 men, came back to win 25-21.