Scotlands assistant rugby coach Matt Taylor said they were fully prepared to face Japan in their Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Gloucester. Bookmakers suggest Scotland should win the Pool B clash, but Japan have become fan favourites and chants of support for the Brave Blossoms will ring out at Kingsholm to fill the void left by tournament organisers bagpipes ban.
Japan stunned the world of rugby after they beat South Africa 34-32 on 19 September and they will not feel intimidated in the slightest when they bid for another notable Rugby World Cup scalp. Taylor said Japans win was not a surprise as they expect to face a talented Japanese outfit led by Eddie Jones.
From our point of view, weve been watching Japan for a long time and we always knew they were an exceptional team, Taylor told reporters on 22 September. I think their players across the board are really good. Theyre well coached, theyre well conditioned and it was a great result for them. So I think the thing that from our point of view that we all, we really knew theyre a good side and they showed that at the weekend.
Theyve got dangers all over the park so were very aware of that, we understand them. Theyve got a really high skill set so again, like I said, were going to have to be at our best defensively to combat that. The scrum; they have got a very good scrum but so have we. Weve worked really hard on it; weve also looked at their individuals and the way to counterattack them as well. They come off the back of their scrum really well so there rules around that and how the number 8 binds and things like that so were aware of that as well.
I wouldnt say any extra pressure. I mean were just looking forward to the opportunity. Like I said, I think the thing for us is our guys have been watching all these other games and were a group of last teams to play so were just really excited. They guys are looking forward to putting in all their hard work over the last couple of years and in particular the last couple of months together and in put in a performance that the country can be proud of.
Scotland have made it to the semi-final stage once before, but that was more than two decades ago. In the previous tournament, in 2011, they failed to make it beyond the group stage and they finished last in the 2015 Six Nations.
In previous meetings between the sides, Scotland have been able to dominate physically and in 2004, they ran in 14 tries against the Japanese in a 100-8 victory.
