Frank Hadden last night jetted into Scottish sport's "home from home" and promised his players will do the country proud in the World Cup.

Coach Hadden and his 30-strong contingent touched down in St Etienne to prepare for their opener against Portugal on Sunday.

And he believes his men have the talent and determination to emerge as dark horses of the tournament, which kicks off tomorrow.

The Scots were given an ultra-warm welcome by the French city that almost became a colony of Scotland thanks to the invasion of the Tartan Army during France 98.

In fact, dozens of fans never came back across the Channel and are now married to local girls and have families.

Hadden declared: "Being based in St Etienne will be perfect for us. The Scotland football fans endeared themselves hugely to the town and I am sure our supporters will follow in their footsteps and become ambassadors."

He added: "We go into the competition with genuine hope of achieving something special. I am not saying we are the best team in the event, but we will be a danger to any of the other sides. In terms of attitude, enthusiasm and drive, no other nation will out-do us. Of that, I am certain.

"I am very happy with our level of preparation and we just can't wait for the real action to begin."

Hadden was backed up by the scrum-half Rory Lawson, who is likely to figure in the tussle with the mystery men of Portugal.

The Gloucester player said: "We have just come off a great pre-season and without having had a summer camp, we are in the best position, physically, we have ever been in.

"The last two games we played, we performed pretty well in beating Ireland and losing to South Africa.

"Obviously we are aiming to hit the ground running against Portugal - but the match everyone is talking about is the final group clash with Italy, also in St Etienne.

"All things going well it will be the decider for who goes into the last eight."

World Cup record holder Gavin Hastings, however, fears the Italians pose a genuine threat to Scotland's dreams of reaching the advanced stages.

Former Scots captain Hastings - still the top points scorer in tournament history with 227 - stressed: "Italy will be no mugs. They have a fierce pack of forwards with some very talented runners behind them."

Hastings backed the All Blacks to live up to their favourites tag and lift the trophy in Paris at the end of next month.

He said: "New Zealand are extremely powerful and the only nation I can see upsetting them are France."