Bryan Redpath is back from injury to lead Scotland

The players flew to Australia on Sunday in high spirits despite a disappointing year and warm-up defeats to Wales and Ireland.

Injuries to influential players Gregor Townsend, Bryan Redpath, Tom Smith, Scott Murray and Bruce Douglas have cleared up and they should be fit and ready for their opener against Japan on 12 October.

Scotland's other Pool B opponents are USA, Fiji and France.

"Results-wise we would have preferred to have won all three (warm-up) games, but the three weeks was all about certain units in the team working," said Morgan.

"We did change the side around during the three games so everybody got an opportunity and it also gave us an idea where people were at that particular stage.

"We could then take it from there as regards selection, but the injury problems didn't help the preparations and unsettled us.

"When you lose people like Tom Smith, Scott Murray and Bruce Douglas it's a bug chunk out of your recognised top side.

"But it gave guys the opportunity to come in and show what they were made of and in essence that was what the three weeks were all about.

Scotland's results have been poor in 2003

"The players were disappointed after those two defeats, but they could prove a blessing in disguise because that has made them more together and determined to prove people wrong.

"The game's all about confidence and from the training sessions I think that has returned. I've been involved for some time and there in as good a shape as any right now."

Before they jetted off on their long-haul trip, the Scotland players acclimatised to the conditions they would face by working out in Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens.

The temperatures and humidity levels in the hothouses were matched to those they would experience in Townsville, where they kick off their campaign against Japan.

The players were put through their paces on treadmills and other cardio-vascular work-outs and Morgan believes those unconventional measures have done just the trick.

"It's been quite good actually," he smiled. "We have had eight sessions in there.

"We have done for the humidity really and it's worked very well, but I wouldn't have liked to have done the work they have done.

"I think they enjoyed it but we gave them a few days off so they could prepare for Australia. It is a question of breaking things in easily in terms of jetlag now.

"But the players definitely look in good shape and as fit as any side preparing for this tournament. They can't wait to get started against Japan now."