SCOTLAND’S record cap and points holder Chris Paterson believes the Borders has given Vern Cotter’s troops the best possible boost ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015, after coming out in their droves for the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

To mark 100 days until Rugby World Cup 2015 gets underway with England taking on Fiji at Twickenham on September 18, the famous Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Scotland on Thursday.

The first stop was the Festival of Sport in Jedburgh, the festivities sparking five action-packed days as the trophy made its way around Scotland.

The fun finished up in Ayrshire on Monday before making its way to Ireland after travelling across the country in the back of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender, the bespoke vehicle designed by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department – complete with customised Trophy cabinet – that will transport rugby’s greatest prize around the UK & Ireland in the build up to the Tournament.

Paterson, from Galashiels, got in on the action on Sunday as he joined Land Rover ambassador and flanker Kelly Brown, from Melrose, at a junior rugby tournament at Highland Rugby Club in Inverness.

And after getting a taste of the atmosphere for himself, the former fly-half is adamant the excitement the trophy built up in Jedburgh will have a direct affect when Scotland get their Rugby World Cup campaign underway against Japan on September 23.

“I’ve been with the Trophy for the whole of the five-day Scottish leg, and everybody has just been fantastic,” said Paterson, who appeared for Scotland in four Rugby World Cups.

“The engagement not only from the kids, but adults as well, has been amazing. Everyone is in awe of this fabulous trophy, and hopefully some of them will even be inspired to compete for Scotland one day.

“Kelly and I absolutely loved being with the trophy in Inverness and seeing all of the youngsters getting excited. I can still remember being involved when the trophy was going around here before Rugby World Cup in 1991.

“That had a big impact on me and it sticks in my mind all these years on, so we love it and I feel a responsibility to give as much as you can back to give these guys the opportunities that we had to play rugby and more.

“We are less than 100 days out from Rugby World Cup 2015 now and the excitement here is really building already, even over the five days we have had the Trophy here.

“The Trophy is such an iconic Trophy, and it’s almost hypnotic when you look at it. It carries so much stature, so for it to get up here, to Glasgow, Aberdeen, the Highlands, Jedburgh and all the other places it has been is brilliant.” Land Rover recently launched its 'We Deal In Real’ campaign, which aims to put grassroots rugby on the global stage. Using this platform, Land Rover is recruiting the next generation of rugby stars from the heart of the game to represent their clubs at Rugby World Cup 2015, as well as all 96 official mascots.

As for the Rugby World Cup itself, Paterson is under no illusion as to how tough Scotland’s group is with the likes of heavyweights South Africa and the ever-improving trio of Japan, Samoa and the United States all lying in wait.

But the former Edinburgh stalwart believes this shouldn’t stop Cotter and his players from aiming high when the competition gets going.

“The group is tough, as are all the groups – gone are the days where you’d have big scores in the pool stages,” he added.

“The USA have experience of winning major trophies at the HSBC World Seven series, and all those guys play in big teams.

“Japan are hard to break down and beat Wales not that long ago, and Samoa and South Africa are probably the most physical teams in the world.

“So there are different challenges for Scotland to overcome and I think a successful Rugby World Cup would be to deal with them all individually.

“I think if the best guys from across Scotland all come together, and are well-drilled and well-coached I’m really optimistic they can have a successful Rugby World Cup.

“The responsibility they have is to inspire people and the nation, and what counts most is what happens on the field in the World Cup.” Chris Paterson was speaking on behalf of Land Rover at Highland RFC when Land Rover and the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender brought the Webb Ellis Cup to the grassroots club, as part of the 100 Day Tour of the UK and Ireland. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal