And match organisers are planning to have a Halloween birthday party to remember - whatever happens.

Steve McCormack’s side are within touching distance of the trophy after following up their opening win over Wales with a resounding 25-4 victory over the Irish in Dublin on Saturday.

A draw over France at Netherdale this week would secure the silverware for the Scots, who will be celebrating their 20th anniversary, and guarantee them a place in the 2016 Four Nations against world champions Australia, New Zealand and England.

Coach McCormack, who brings his players to the Peebles Hydro today (Wednesday) to prepare for the match, told the Border Telegraph: “Friday night on home soil will be a big occasion, on the back of a terrific World Cup last year, but we cannot afford to get carried away.” Skipper Danny Brough, man of the match in the Bravehearts’ opening win over Wales, was again influential against the Irish, creating two of the Scots’ three tries as well as kicking all three conversions and a drop goal.

France will have to beat Scotland by 18 points to leapfrog them in the table.

And third-placed Ireland require a 52-points scoring turnaround if they are to haul back McCormack’s team.

Amongst the crowd at Netherdale on Friday will be a few of the sport’s greats from down the years.

Jedburgh’s David Rose, who scored in Great Britain’s 1954 World Cup final victory over France, George Fairbairn from Kelso, who earned 17 caps for Great Britain as well as 16 for England during his days at Wigan and Hull KR, Selkirk’s Stan Cowan, who enjoyed 12 seasons at Hull, his British Lion brother, Ronnie, who played a season with Leeds, and Alan Tait from Kelso, who won 16 caps for Great Britain during his time at Widnes and Leeds, will be amongst the special guests.

Current Gala coach George Graham, who missed Scotland’s very first international against Ireland in 1994 due to injury, will also be at the pre-match dinner.

Bravehearts media spokesman Gavin Willacy told us: “This will be a memorable night for Scotland rugby league in the Scottish Borders and wanted the great players from the Borders to be part of it.

“We have come a long way in 20 years and it would be a great birthday present if we could become European champions for the first time.” Scotland will wear a special Halloween green-and-yellow strip for the occasion - although they are having a few regrets.

Mr Willacy added: “We were originally told that France wanted to wear blue so we came up with a special Halloween away strip. It’s a bizarre mixture of yellow and lime green.

“We’ve since found out that France will in fact wear white but we’ve already got our new Halloween strips so we’d better wear them.” Friday’s match between Scotland and France kicks off at 7.30pm - tickets will be available on the gate.