Kingsholm, Gloucester, kick-off 2.30pm. Live on ITV.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
This is the first of Scotland’s four games in Rugby World Cup Pool B. Defeat by the Japanese, who already have four points from their sensational win against South Africa, would make finishing in the top two and reaching the last eight extremely difficult.
GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM
Scotland come into the competition in good shape. They played with increasing confidence and competence in their warm-up games, and head coach Vern Cotter has been able to field a very strong side. Of those who might have been Cotter’s first choices, only Alex Dunbar, out of the squad because of injury, is unavailable.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
The morale of the Japanese squad has never been higher thanks to that win against the Springboks. In Eddie Jones they have possibly the wiliest coach in world rugby, and he has them believing they can reach their goal of getting to the quarter-finals. They are bigger, fitter and more skilful than any previous Japan team.
KEY CONTEST
Greig Laidlaw versus Fumiaki Tanaka. Japan’s scrum-half was named man of the match against South Africa, and profited from the platform given him by his forwards to launch wave after wave of attack. The Scotland captain has to stop those attacks at source by harrying Tanaka throughout the game - as well as finding space to get his own back line going.
TACTICAL BATTLE
Scotland should have more stamina, given Japan’s short turnaround from their last game. They must exploit this by mixing up a high-tempo game with one in which they patiently play for position. Kicking behind the defence will have a big part to play in stretching Japan.
PREDICTION
Scotland 29 Japan 20
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