Sourcing inspiration from France at the last Rugby World Cup, Gregor Townsend believes that his side should not be disregarded, claiming that despite their disappointing form leading into the competition, anything can happen come Cup time.
"I remember how France came bottom in the Five Nations and then were terrible in the first four games of the World Cup and were written off, but they clicked and went through to the final," he said to the BBC recently.
"I definitely think we have got a chance to win this tournament. Who's to say one of the outsiders can't create an upset or two? There are certainly not just three or four teams in contention.
Scotland beat Wales and Italy in the Six Nations but were well beaten by the Irish, French and English. In their RWC warm up games the Scots lost two games to under-strength South Africa before being beaten by Wales and Ireland.
"I view ourselves, Ireland and maybe Argentina as teams that can upset the big teams on the day and if you get a run going early on anything can happen, there are only maybe four big games - get through those and you've won the tournament."
Scotland have made it to the quarter finals in every past RWC, however to repeat such a feat will be difficult - their Pool B alone holding the afore mentioned French, as well as a committed Fiji, Japan and the United States.