By BRYN PALMER

Scotland's players need to swiftly “front up” to the reality of their World Cup pool if they are to avoid a second straight group-stage exit, says former captain Greig Laidlaw.
Scotland, ranked fifth in the world, open their campaign against defending champions South Africa in Marseille on September 10. They have lost their last seven Tests against the Springboks since 2010, including two under Gregor Townsend in 2018 and 2021.
After further group games against Tonga and Romania, Townsend’s men must tackle Six Nations champions and world number oneranked Ireland, who they ha...