Greig Laidlaw has suggested that it will be key for Scotland's players to remain in control of their emotions at the World Cup.
As Scotland bid to avoid successive group stage exits from the tournament, Laidlaw believes that holding their nerve at crucial moments will decide how successful they are over the next few weeks.
Vern Cotter's side start their campaign against Japan on Wednesday, and Laidlaw claims that the coach is the calm voice behind the scenes.
"I love playing for Scotland and I've got wrapped up in it sometimes," the Scotland captain told reporters. "The key thing is passion at vital times. We need to be aggressive, we need our warrior spirit – from our roots, and you saw that that in the recent France game. But it's about using it at the right times. We're doing it more.
"Getting too excited in changing rooms before games is a waste of energy. Vern (Cotter) has been very good at helping us focus on what is important."
Scotland will also meet South Africa, Samoa and USA in Pool B.
Callum Mulvihill
