AT LAST, after sitting out the first five days of the Rugby World Cup, Scotland get their tournament under way when they play Japan today in Gloucester. It will not be easy.

The Japanese have invariably come off second best when up against established rugby nations but they set the competition alight on Saturday by beating South Africa, a team that had won more World Cups (two) than Japan had won games in the tournament since it began in 1987.

The Japanese squad is bigger, stronger and fitter thanks in large part to Eddie Jones, their Australian coach. He is known for his irreverent good humour, but he is also extremely knowledgeable, as he showed with his game plan to beat South Africa.

Yesterday he called on the locals to turn out in force and support his team, pointing out that Gloucester are known as the cherry and whites, Japan’s colours. He also suggested that the traditional rivalry between England and Scotland should be enough to have everyone from around the town cheering on his men.

Regardless of what happens in the stands, the action that counts will be on the pitch. Japan have already won many new friends with their adventurous style of play. If Scotland play in similar vein, the World Cup would have another great game on its hands.