6N History (2000-05): 5th, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 6th, 5th. First Wooden Spoon in 19 years in 2004, but beat Italy last year.

Coach: Frank Hadden. After three wins in 18 Tests under Aussie Matt Williams, the Scots reverted to one of their own. More relaxed regime appears to be paying dividends.

Age: 27 Caps: 49 Tries: 4

Captain: Jason White. Surprise choice when injury befell Jon Petrie, but led from front in the autumn and retained the job. Easy-going nature belies big-hitting style.

Big man: Nathan Hines is currently throwing his 6ft 7in, 18st 8lb-frame around in France with Perpignan, but Glasgow lock Craig Hamilton dwarfs everyone else in the squad at 6ft 8in.

I wouldn't stand there pal if I was you

Enforcer: Captain Jason White was once described by Jim Telfer as the hardest tackler he had ever seen, while prop Allan "Chunk" Jacobsen" (right) also packs a punch.

Brains and brawn: Defending Scotland's Six Nations record in recent years is not an easy task, but law graduate Simon Taylor is better equipped than most.

Lamont's barnet is in the grand tradition of tartan tearaways Hair-raising barnets

Bad hair day: Close crops are the norm, but wing Sean Lamont's bleached-blond locks have been flowing past flailing tacklers recently.

Southern intruders: The 'kilted Kiwis' have disappeared for now, but fly-half Dan Parks and centre Ben MacDougall have bolstered the 'och-aye' Aussie contingent.

Bogey fixture: Not beaten France at home for a decade, and lost six of the last seven Murrayfield meetings with England. Recent trips to Dublin and Rome not happy ones either.

Prospects: Signs of progress, but may be too soon for tangible success. Two wins would be a good return, but will probably have to win in Dublin or Cardiff for that to happen.

Odds to win title: 66-1, 200-1 Grand Slam, 40-1 Triple Crown.