SCOTLAND play their biggest game for four years today, with the prize for victory against Samoa a place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Hooker Ross Ford knows precisely what he and the other forwards need to do at St James’ Park this afternoon - secure enough possession so backs like Stuart Hogg and Mark Bennett get try-scoring chances.

“We have to dominate up front and set a platform,” Ford said yesterday. “And that will allow us to release Hoggy and Marky and that lot - and they can do what they do. We have to boss it up front for that to happen.”

Bossing it against Samoa is always easier said than done, because the Pacific islanders pride themselves on their toughness in the tackle and the scrum. But they have had an unhappy World Cup so far, doing just enough to win their opening Pool B game against the United States but then losing to South Africa and Japan.

They could still come third in the pool, which would mean automatic qualification for the next World Cup. But to do that they have to beat Scotland and rely on the US beating Japan tomorrow in the last game of the pool stages. That is unlikely, but Ford warned that the Samoans should not be written off.

“I don’t know if their standard has dropped,” he said. “But we understand that they have dangerous backs, good off-loaders, good steppers and [they are] good in contact. We’re aware of the threats that they bring.”

Scotland bring their own threats, of course - through full-back Hogg and centre Bennett, but also their Glasgow team-mates Tommy Seymour and Finn Russell - and, if he comes off the bench, Sean Lamont. The veteran winger will win his 100th cap if he does make an appearance, and Ford expects him to mark the occasion with a big contribution.

“To be on the cusp of getting to 100 caps, it shows how good he is, because this is a tough game. He’s had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, but he’s kept coming back and got stronger and the last couple of years he’s right back to his best form.

“He’s a great boy to know and to be in the squad and to come off the bench and make a massive impact on the park like he always does. I’m really pleased for him if he gets that. It’s something he can be very proud of. I think he’s a got a few games left in him yet and he’s been such a cracking player for us. To have that impact off the bench is really important to us.”

Chris Paterson is so far the only Scottish man to have won 100 caps, with Donna Kennedy the only woman. But 31-year-old Ford is already on 92 caps, so he could soon follow Lamont in making his century.

“That’s not something I have a massive think about, to be honest,” he said. “But I enjoy playing, and if I’m playing well enough to get picked I’ll happily continue to put myself forward.

“Sean’s just very matter of fact about it. He never gets too up or down about it. We’ll have a little thing after the game if he gets on. You get a cap with gold stitching or something, something slightly different. The occasion will be marked, because it’s a big thing.”

The game itself is a bigger thing, of course, and the best way to mark Lamont’s 100th Test would be for Scotland to win and go through to the last eight. They should do it with something to spare.