Paterson did not miss a kick at goal at the last World Cup

Scotland full-back Chris Paterson has every intention of appearing at his fourth World Cup when the tournament goes to New Zealand in 2011.

The 30-year-old Edinburgh star is Scotland's leading points scorer and record cap holder.

"I'd love to be involved," he told BBC Sport. "I still feel fit and my test results actually prove that I'm in better condition than I've ever been.

"I'll just need to get out and prove I'm still around then."

Scotland will face England and Argentina in Pool B at the 2011 tournament.

The winner of the European qualifying pool - which includes Georgia, Romania and Portugal - will join the Scots in Pool B.

And the winner of a play-off will complete the pool and the 20-country line-up that will compete for the seventh William Webb Ellis trophy.

I'm always willing to improve and my desire is still there to play Chris Paterson

"It's good to avoid the big three from the southern hemisphere and we are more familiar with England," added Paterson, who did not miss a kick at goal during the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Six Nations.

"We also had a good away win over Argentina in the summer, albeit against a weakened side.

"It's a long way off but we will need to win at least one of those games, if not both, so it's a big ask."

Scotland will be out to maintain their record of being one of only five countries to qualify for the quarter-final of every World Cup.

And Paterson believes the nucleus of a promising World Cup squad has already been assembled under head coach Frank Hadden.

"On the whole, it's a young squad," he said. "A lot of the experienced guys are young as well; Ally Hogg is up near 50 caps and he's just 25-years-old.

"The older guys are myself, Nathan (Hines) and Jason (White).

"But I'm always willing to improve and my desire is still there to play."

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