The Scotland team came back into camp at the start of last week, spending three days in St Andrews before rounding off the week with an open training session in front of 2,000 fans.

The matches are now firmly on the horizon, with the first match against Italy just 12 days away.

Jamie Ritchie said: “The boys are in good shape, we’ve had the first block and everyone kept ticking over in their time off so we came into the first week flying and started where we left off.

“That extended time together gives the guys that natural ability to connect and become better acquainted. We’re all really close as it is so this extra time together has been improving on that connection as a squad.

“I think the squad is super settled, we’re excited to get out there and play because that’s what we do it all for, to get out there and play in front of our fans.”

As part of the team’s preparations for France, they traveled to Nice for a week to train in Block 1 and acclimatise to the conditions. That is where the squad will be based for the pool stages.

He said: “[Going to Nice] meant the guys can get comfortable with the surroundings that we’re going to spend time in and they know what to expect around the food, the rooms, what the hotel is like, get to know some of the hotel staff which is going to be important for us.

“Just making that as seamless as possible, as comfortable as possible because if we’re happy off-pitch then hopefully we can perform on it.”

Before France, the team will play in The Famous Grouse Nations Series this July and August with three exciting home fixtures at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. The first game kicks off in just over a weeks time against Italy (Sat 29 July, 3.15pm), next up is France (Sat 5 Aug, 3.15pm) and then Georgia (Sat 26 Aug, 5.30pm). Secure your tickets now.

There are NO Autumn Test fixtures this year, so these games are your last chance to see Scotland men in action on home soil this year!

The Scotland captain would love to see as many fans as possible supporting the team this summer at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

He added: “It means the world to us, there’s not many better feelings than walking into Scottish Gas Murrayfield and hearing that crowd and knowing that they are behind you.

“It gives us a real lift especially when there are big moments in the game or the crowd feel like there’s something building, you can really feel that energy and that noise.

“We’d love to see as many of you as possible come to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for The Famous Grouse Nations Series matches against Italy, France, and Georgia.”

Secure your tickets now for the upcoming matches at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.