Scotland v Japan, 23 September

by **George Carlin** Thu 17 Sep 2015, 6:42 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Scot_f10

SCOTLAND V JAPAN
23 September 2015
KO: 14:30 BST
Kingsholm, Gloucester

Live on [tbc]

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) & Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

4 Played 4
4 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 4
221 Points 45

B. Recent Form

09 Nov 2013
Scotland 42 - 17 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

13 Nov 2004
Scotland 100 - 8 Japan
McDiarmid Park, Perth

12 Oct 2003
Scotland 32 - 11 Japan
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

05 Oct 1991
Scotland 47 - 9 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

C. Teams

SCOTLAND
Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Kirsty10

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Kirsty10

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Mark Bennett
12 Matt Scott
11 Sean Lamont
10 Finn Russell
09 Greig Laidlaw (c)

01 Ali Dickinson
02 Ross Ford
03 Willem Nel
04 Grant Gilchrist
05 Jonny Gray
06 Ryan Wilson
07 John Hardie
08 David Denton

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ryan Grant
18 Jon Welsh
19 Richie Gray
20 Joshua Strauss
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Peter Horne
23 Sean Maitland

JAPAN
Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Koshib10

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Koshib10

01- Keita Inagaki
02- Shota Horie
03- Hiroshi Yamashita
04- Luke Thompson
05- Justin Ives
06- Michael Leitch (captain)
07- Michael Broadhurst
08- Amanaki Mafi

09- Fumiaki Tanaka
10- Harumichi Tatekawa
11- Kenki Fukuoka
12- Yu Tamura
13- Male Sa'u
14- Kotaro Matsushima
15- Ayumu Goromaru

16- Takeshi Kizu
17- Masataka Mikami
18- Kensuke Hatakeyama
19- Shinya Makabe
20- Shoji Ito
21- Hendrik Tui
22- Atsushi Hiwasa
23- Karne Hesketh

by alive555 Sat 19 Sep 2015, 7:29 pm

Samoa are playing second string against USA ?

by TightHEAD Sat 19 Sep 2015, 7:46 pm

tigertattie wrote:Hopefully Japan are exhausted after that game and won't put up a fight on Wednesday

lol you hope.

by kingraf Sat 19 Sep 2015, 7:48 pm

Japan are absolutely not going to back that performance up. It's like those tennis players who beat Nadal or Federer in a major. They can't come down from the high emotionally. Eddie Jones will do his best, but I think Japan will still be in dreamland

by 123456789 Sat 19 Sep 2015, 9:25 pm

I'm hoping he goes with the following side:

1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Strauss
7. Hardie
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw (no point pretending otherwise)
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Scott
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

For me if we start well and get more than 7+ clear it should become routine, this team has had the Italy game so I don't think we'll see anything like we saw today.

by funnyExiledScot Sat 19 Sep 2015, 9:45 pm

As I've said right from the off, we pick the 1st XV for this one. The result tonight changes nothing for us. We'll still need to win three matches, and that must start with Japan.

They will struggle both mentally and physically to replicate what they've just done, and we need to be much smarter and less error prone than the hapless Boks.

I still believe we will and should prevail on Wednesday.

by **Notch** Sat 19 Sep 2015, 9:52 pm

You could take the message from this that Japan are a threat, but you can also take the message that South Africa are vulnerable. That would be a more positive spin.

by funnyExiledScot Sat 19 Sep 2015, 10:07 pm

Agreed, but we shouldn't be bothered about the Boks for now. That's two games away. Let's just focus on Japan and going to bed on Wednesday with maximum points in the bag!

by TJ Sat 19 Sep 2015, 10:13 pm

So we are back in Private Fraser mode then? dammit I was beginning to feel optimistic

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Hqdefault

by **NeilyBroon** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 12:06 am

No private fraseer mode. It's a chance for us to urine on someone else's parade for a change. I think the stakes just got higher, bvc would be a fool not to instill that

by Tattie Scones RRN Sun 20 Sep 2015, 1:20 am

This is our time.

Scotland are going to click and this pool is ours.

Go get it lads.

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 5:50 am

kingraf wrote:Japan are absolutely not going to back that performance up. It's like those tennis players who beat Nadal or Federer in a major. They can't come down from the high emotionally. Eddie Jones will do his best, but I think Japan will still be in dreamland

I actually agree but I'm taking nothing at all for granted.

Any Scotland fans still think that we don't need to play our strongest side against Japan?

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 5:53 am

tigertattie wrote:Brighton is about to run out of saki

Post of the day for me. Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 2 Finger11

by LordDowlais Sun 20 Sep 2015, 8:15 am

Wales sent a weakened squad out to Japan during the Lions tour and we drew the serieies losing the second game, and we were very lucky to win the first game. There was a lot of talk about their professional setup, and how good it was.

I level with you on here, I was expecting Japan to best Scotland during this World Cup as I knew how far they have come, I did not want to say anything as I did not want to be called a wum, but after yesterday's result I can now say it with some extra creedence.

For people to say that Japan will not back yesterday's result up and that they will just still be on a high is bollox. What people need to realise is that the Japanese are now fully pro, with a professional league, that pays players just as much, if not more than the French pay their players.

Scotland would be wise to not underestimate this Japan squad, they are not the semi pro team that the likes of Uruguay are.

by kingraf Sun 20 Sep 2015, 8:21 am

Maybe if you sort of suggested it before yesterday and then full out said afterwards you'd have Extra extra credence

by fa0019 Sun 20 Sep 2015, 8:40 am

Without trying to brush off Japan... Scotland will win. I simply can't see beyond that result.

They will take them more seriously yes but I think Japan wont be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat twice.

They have hardly beaten anyone this season prior to yesterdays game.... losing to the USA, Fiji and Tonga... and with a bit of a assumption admittedly, the PI teams never get their players for the PN cup.... Japan does.

Unless Eddie Jones is Dr Evil reborn I doubt they were simply holding back secret weapons to unleash at the RWC.

Anyone who backed Japan prior to the match were either full on patriots or drunk... and thats no disrespect, the boks played their best team and by halftime they took it very very seriously. But thats how big the result was.

Can anyone name a bigger result?

Senegal vs France in 2002? This beats that for me, probably had far larger odds.

by jimbopip Sun 20 Sep 2015, 8:54 am

On the plus side; Japan conceded four tries, two from driven mauls and two when fat boys broke through their defensive line at the gallop. If we have; Gray, Gray, Claire Baldwin and Bluto (then Batman) then we should be scoring tries here.

On the minus side; their set piece held up well, they scored two well worked tries, their backs are fast and inventive (dare I say "nippy") , from first to last they competed like their lives depended on it ....and THEY BEAT THE BOKS.

We can beat them but we need to match their desire and self-belief.

1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Strauss Batman may get the nod as he's a better line out option and he get's around the park better. I don't think the Japanese will be worried about a big Saffer back row trying to bulldoze his way through them.
7. Hardie
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw (no point pretending otherwise)
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. ~~Scott~~ Hornee, is playing better and will dovetail seamlessly with Dancer and Messiah.
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

Just for once having smallish props won't matter one way or t'other.

IF we win on Wednesday then the Boks have to play their full strength side against Samoa. The Boks will revert to type and try to batter Samoa into submission. I think that is exactly what Samoa would want; an arm wrestle on a cold wet pitch. We could then be going into Noocassel with two wins more than the Boks. However that could translate into 4 points for us and 3 points for them if they collect a LBP and we don't have any TBP. The Boks must be telling themselves they can still get 17 points out of this group and top it. Yesterday's result changes nothing in terms of what we need to do, but changes everything in terms of how we view the "minnows" in world rugby.

I think we can win but we need to play fast and loose a la Glasgow. If the Boks pack couldn't steamroller them into submission then we won't.

by **RDW** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:01 am

Fast and loose? That would be playing straight into Japan'a hands - their tempo yesterday was incredible.

by fa0019 Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:06 am

How should Scotland play this game... I agree with RDW, play a loose game and you play to their strengths.

Play a big man game, pick your biggest A side possible and your best ball to hand kicker at 10.

For me Strokosch is made for games like this... slows the game down very well. I know people don't like him but if you want to play a tight game there is no better.

Squeeze them out the game.

by jimbopip Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:12 am

fa0019 wrote:How should Scotland play this game... I agree with RDW, play a loose game and you play to their strengths.

Play a big man game, pick your biggest A side possible and your best ball to hand kicker at 10.

For me Strokosch is made for games like this... slows the game down very well. I know people don't like him but if you want to play a tight game there is no better.

Squeeze them out the game.

That sounds exactly like the Boks game plan. Only with Meatball at 10 and Slow Mo Strokes at 6. picard

If both of them and Frodo the Glacial are in the starting XV I think I may be too busy hitting my head repeatedly off a wall to watch the match.

by **RDW** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:27 am

I think the most important thing is discipline - if we give away stupid penalise it gives them opportunitiee to kick to the corner and unleash their devastating rolling maul.

Good thing then that Hamilton isn't in the squad!

by GLove39 Sun 20 Sep 2015, 9:38 am

This is the sort of game where I'd have wanted 2 opensides, since Japan were pilfering Bok ball like a multi conglomerate in a 3rd world country. But since we don't have that option, I'd say pick as many Glasgow players as possible (front row excluded of course) and go for the pro12 gameplan!? Only slight hitch is who'll be our Nakawra..?

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 20 Sep 2015, 10:52 am

I agree with RDW. We have to put our big lads out. Japan looked at their most vulnerable when a lock and a prop literally ran over an attempted tackler and both scored.
This probably would have been the type of game that would have suited Big Jim Hamilton so I think we need the power of the Gray brothers as opposed to Gilchrist
What really struck me was the composure and self-confidence that Japan had. In that final long phase of possession, our backs would have either dropped the ball or the forwards penalised for going to ground or sealing the ball off.

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 10:59 am

I just cannot see that size is any sort of criterion for selecting players.

We just need our best 23. That's it.
I don't think it will change Vern's selection plans in the slightest.

by **RDW** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:02 am

Good news - Japan have now overtaken us in the rankings so we're now the underdogs! That's where Scotland like to be.

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:03 am

Depends on what you mean by best. Being facetious (having dealt with the legal profession for over 20 years I have learned to do this) if you mean fastest, we pick 15 backs, if you mean strongest, we pick 12 forwards and 3 backs and so on.
To me, "best" would mean best-suited ergo the big, mobile boys for a game against a Japanese side who will be physically beaten up from yesterday's game

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:04 am

It's funny that you say that RDW because I was wondering how the double-points for WC games would have affected the rankings after yesterdays' games. Are SA below us now???

by **RDW** Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:06 am

SA are 6th, we're 11th. That will hopefully all change in 3 weeks time.

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 20 Sep 2015, 11:13 am

Barman, stop serving RDW. He has had too much to drink already.

by reallybored Sun 20 Sep 2015, 1:09 pm

Just play sensible rugby, don't try force it from our own half and use the boot to keep them in their 22, put pressure on them at the set-piece and hunt them down behind the gain-line in defence.

With the likes of Gray, Denton, Strauss and Scott to get us over the gain-line and Russell's ability to unlock a defence we should do them but respect them and build a score, we don't need to try win it in the first 50.

I'd go for:

1 - Grant (good chance to have a look at him, give Dickinson a rest)
2 - Brown (don't need Ford's size at set-piece and work-rate would be good addition)
3 - Nel
4 - Gray
5 - Gray
6 - Denton
7 - Hardie
8 - Strauss

9 - Laidlaw
10 - Russell
11 - Lamont (big ball carrying would be useful)
12 - Scott
13 - Bennett
14 - Seymour
15 - Maitland (Hogg sounds like a slight risk, not one we should take)

16 - Ford, 17 - Reid, 18 - Welsh, 19 - Swinson, 20 - Wilson, 21 - Pyrgos, 22 - Horne, 23 - Visser

by Eejit Sun 20 Sep 2015, 1:17 pm

Much to the annoyance of the rest of the world Scotland should beat Japan fairly comfortably on Wednesday. There is no excuse, particularly with a back row of Denton Strauss and Hardie.

Nothing has changed, regardless of Japan's stunning win last night. It was always a must-win game. The only difference now is that we can top this pool now.

by IanBru Sun 20 Sep 2015, 3:26 pm

Eejit wrote:Much to the annoyance of the rest of the world Scotland should beat Japan fairly comfortably on Wednesday. There is no excuse, particularly with a back row of Denton Strauss and Hardie.

Nothing has changed, regardless of Japan's stunning win last night. It was always a must-win game. The only difference now is that we can top this pool now.

That's exactly the attitude we need to have.

I was absolutely delighted for Japan yesterday, but today I want to bring Japan back to reality. I'm quite happy for Scotland to be that team, you know the one: the Hawks from the Mighty Ducks, East Germany in Cool Runnings, Iceland in... Mighty Ducks 2.

The pro sides showed the instinct to be utter b***ards last year - Edinburgh against Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Glasgow against Bath. As much as I enjoyed Japan, as teary as I might have been, I want them to feel like chew toys for our back row, to step back every time Russell gets on the ball. Frankly, I want to tear them a new one.

by majesticimperialman Sun 20 Sep 2015, 3:34 pm

IanBru wrote:
Eejit wrote:Much to the annoyance of the rest of the world Scotland should beat Japan fairly comfortably on Wednesday. There is no excuse, particularly with a back row of Denton Strauss and Hardie.

Nothing has changed, regardless of Japan's stunning win last night. It was always a must-win game. The only difference now is that we can top this pool now.
That's exactly the attitude we need to have.

I was absolutely delighted for Japan yesterday, but today I want to bring Japan back to reality. I'm quite happy for Scotland to be that team, you know the one: the Hawks from the Mighty Ducks, East Germany in Cool Runnings, Iceland in... Mighty Ducks 2.

The pro sides showed the instinct to be utter b***ards last year - Edinburgh against Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Glasgow against Bath. As much as I enjoyed Japan, as teary as I might have been, I want them to feel like chew toys for our back row, to step back every time Russell gets on the ball. Frankly, I want to tear them a new one.

If Japan play like they did against SA, Scotland could well be in for a good bashing.

I would like Scotland to win, but they have to be at the top of their game to do it.

by TJ Sun 20 Sep 2015, 4:01 pm

Looking at the rankings Scotland should win - but its by no means a gimme. Scotland will not be as slow and ponderous and predictable as SA - but neither will they be as fast of feet hands and brains as Japan. I would like to see Scotland exert some control - SA didn't manage it

Bet one thing - Scotland get yellow cards for slowing down the ball at the ruck

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:14 am

IanBru wrote:
Eejit wrote:Much to the annoyance of the rest of the world Scotland should beat Japan fairly comfortably on Wednesday. There is no excuse, particularly with a back row of Denton Strauss and Hardie.

Nothing has changed, regardless of Japan's stunning win last night. It was always a must-win game. The only difference now is that we can top this pool now.
That's exactly the attitude we need to have.

I was absolutely delighted for Japan yesterday, but today I want to bring Japan back to reality. I'm quite happy for Scotland to be that team, you know the one: the Hawks from the Mighty Ducks, East Germany in Cool Runnings, Iceland in... Mighty Ducks 2.

The pro sides showed the instinct to be utter b***ards last year - Edinburgh against Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Glasgow against Bath. As much as I enjoyed Japan, as teary as I might have been, I want them to feel like chew toys for our back row, to step back every time Russell gets on the ball. Frankly, I want to tear them a new one.

I totally agree. Now is not the time to go all conservative and feartie, retreat into our shells and just hump the ball around the park with those pointless box kicks that punctuated the instantly forgettable Scott Johnson era.

RDW is right - this game doesn't hinge on a complete change of tactics, it hinges on us being smart, cutting out the errors, keeping the penalty count down and most of all trusting our new approach. Getting the ball into Bennett and Hogg when it's on, and allowing those players the freedom to take calculated risks. Discipline in defence is going to be vital. The biggest risk to Scotland is that we continuously hand them cheap 3 pointers. Trust the defence, and if the turnover isn't on then don't commit numbers or do something silly.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:17 am

1) Giant killers usually fail to back up a shock win
2) Japan have bugger all rest and recovery time.

by R!skysports Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:22 am

Lets be clear - this changes nothing

We still have to beat the Japan, Samoa and USA teams and hopefully the SA

While it is fantastic result for Japan and they played well - BUT this SA team is really really poor - and have been for a while (See reults in the 4 nations)

|We need to take it with a pinch of salt and not panic or over react

We play our game, our way to our normal standard and we will win this

If we panic and play dumb rugby we will likely lose

Keep it tight, kick behind, use our fast forward to move point of attack and then use our backs to break the line

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:26 am

I thought that the AB's gave a master class yesterday in not putting players into a ruck. If the ball was not there to be won they left three Pumas on the floor while they got their defensive line organised, with a clear numerical advantage. Then every so often they would go gangbusters and attack every ruck for a short intense period. The result was that the Pumas were constantly committing men and the AB's were setting the agenda on the Puma's attacking ball. Cunning.

Oh, and I must admit to standing up and saluting Wayne Barnes: yellow card for McCaw; yah beautie. Yahoo

The team is out at lunchtime, but I think it'll be more about how much desire we have, and the Sons of Nippon showed lots on Saturday, rather than who plays.

Finally, Samoa- USA with all respect I didn't see anything in either side to worry us.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:31 am

I wonder if there'll be any shocks in the selection - Swinson at lock, Strokosh at 6, Wilson at 8 etc.

It feels like the WC has been going on for ages without us involved!

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:31 am

jimbopip wrote:I thought that the AB's gave a master class yesterday in not putting players into a ruck. If the ball was not there to be won they left three Pumas on the floor while they got their defensive line organised, with a clear numerical advantage. Then every so often they would go gangbusters and attack every ruck for a short intense period. The result was that the Pumas were constantly committing men and the AB's were setting the agenda on the Puma's attacking ball. Cunning.

Oh, and I must admit to standing up and saluting Wayne Barnes: yellow card for McCaw; yah beautie.

The team is out at lunchtime, but I think it'll be more about how much desire we have, and the Sons of Nippon showed lots on Saturday, rather than who plays.

Finally, Samoa- USA with all respect I didn't see anything in either side to worry us.

100% agree. This has always been an AB strength. They don't fear opposition possession in the slightest, and just wait patiently for someone to become isolated then dive in with numbers. I also thought they managed the game well generally. Argentina were pretty handy and put them under pressure but they never panic and just trust in themselves. Yes, belief and "winning mentality" play a part in that, but the fitness levels of the ABs is also an awesome thing to behold. I just can't see anyone beating them.

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:44 am

My fondest wish for this tournament is that people who may never normally do so actually watch a Scotland game and are surprised by the quality of the players involved. I think that Scotland suffers more from 'received wisdom' about what they must be like than any other team. I have read so much lazy nonsense it saddens me.

There is a fair argument that our 6N performances brought that on ourselves but I do believe that neutrals would be hopeful of much more and better if they actually knew anything about the players.

I'm going to lose my sh!t if I read one more comment about how we presumably are hoping that it rains and the pitch turns into a Dickensian quagmire. That opinion is now about 3-10 years out of date and is the exact opposite of what is currently true

Our backline now consists of:

9 an experienced scrummie who kicked with a 96% success rate in the last 6 Nations

10 Scotland's best fly half for 20 years

11 one of the best 5 wingers in the Pro12 (top 3 in my opinion) and a proven international tryscorer (Tommy Seymour)

12 (depending on injuries) either (a) a centre whom Will Greenwood has described as one of the best in Europe and an automatic Lions selection (Alex Dunbar) or the lynchpin of Glasgow's title winning midfield (Peter Horne)

13 Scotland's most talented centre for 20 years (Mark Bennett)

14 British Lion who still holds Super Rugby try scoring records

15 British Lion and Scotland's best attacking full back since Andy Irvine

Whenever I mention this I am accused of 'talking the team up' followed by a finger wagging reminder that teams can only be judged by results. That is correct but my point is that Scotland fans have been valid expectation for their side to come of age in this tournament

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 9:57 am

Good interview with Wilson, saying all the right things. The key points:

- the team was selected before the Japan game and no changes have been made since

- the win comes as no surprise, as they've done a lot of homework on Japan and know exactly what to expect from them

Scotsman wrote:The good news is that one Scottish flanker has previous experience of what is required to beat Japan on the rugby field. The bad news is that it happened many moons ago when he turned out for the national under-20s team and he can’t remember much about the game, except that it was played on Japanese soil and in pretty miserable conditions.

Not that Scotland head coach Vern Cotter’s brains trust needs to quiz Ryan Wilson, since they had ample evidence of the dramatic improvement by Wednesday’s opposition. The Scotland camp had repeatedly warned that Japan were a force to be reckoned with, although the same message evidently was not hammered home inside the Springboks’ camp.

“I was definitely impressed with Japan,” said the hirsute Wilson, on what was a rest day for the Scotland squad. “We watched the game on Saturday night but we knew just how good Japan were going to be as we have been watching a lot of their stuff.

“We’ve studied footage of the games they’ve played over the last year or so. We already knew they were a well- drilled outfit. As much as it was a shock to everyone, we knew they are a good team. It was South Africa in the opening game and you just expect them [South Africa] to come out with all guns blazing but they didn’t.

“We have watched them [Japan] closely and gone through everything. Their lineout went well, their scrum went well. They only made three handling errors in the whole game. They also limited their penalties and they played an all-round good game. They managed to keep the pressure on South Africa and they shocked them.”

They didn’t just shock South Africa, they shocked the entire sporting world. Japan were 80-1 outsiders before the game although, as per usual, someone claimed to know someone who got 100-1. The figures matter little, the fact remains that this can lay claim to be one of the biggest upsets in sporting history. The only comparable shock in team sports that comes to mind was the so called “Miracle on Ice” at the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Games when a team of American college students beat the Soviet side that had lifted gold in six of the previous seven Olympics.

The response from the Scotland squad to Japan’s very own miracle in Brighton was one of business as usual. The starting XV for Wednesday had already been selected, and the manager Gavin Scott confirmed that no changes had been made to it following South Africa’s humbling. The line Scotland are taking is that they were always aware of the threat so, while the final result may have raised an eyebrow or two, the performance of the Japanese team was not unexpected, a view underlined by Wilson.

“I don’t think the Japan result has changed anything, there is no more or less pressure on us,” said the flanker. “We are still approaching the game as it being the biggest one for us. It was always going to be about taking things one step at a time, so this is the biggest game for us at the moment. We will go into this game knowing that Japan are a tough team to break down.

“They will have been sore on Sunday morning, I can guarantee that. But they now have a game under their belt and now have a win against South Africa. I believe having a win like that gives you a level of confidence, which is unbelievable for them.

“They have the challenge of coming down from the euphoria. I saw Dents [David Denton] put a tweet out about him hoping the Japan squad go out and have a few beers. That gave me a laugh but I’m sure they won’t be doing that. They will be doing everything they can, in the same way as we will, to get ready for this game on Wednesday.

“I believe it would have helped Japan getting this result but they have a 31- man squad and I’m sure they will use some of their other players. I’m sure they will have full confidence in their entire squad.

“I’m sure there will be rotation because there will be some beat-up bodies, especially after a game against South Africa. I played against them once and came away from the game with a dislocated shoulder.

“So I know how they’ll be feeling, but I don’t think they’ll have any problems getting right back up for their game against us. I have no doubt they’ll be ready to go in four days’ time.”

The impact this victory will have on Japan will only be revealed on Wednesday, although the inevitable growth in self-belief will be countered by the four- day turnaround and the psychological difficult in mentally preparing for the Scotland match while still celebrating the Springboks’ scalp, if only at a subconscious level.

The effect on South Africa will be very much more obvious and immediate if the reaction of the fans is anything to go by; one immediately sold his Springbok shirt in disgust. South Africa face Samoa next, on Saturday in Birmingham, after which we will know whether the loss to Japan was a blip, or the result of something much more serious for Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks.

by Eejit Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:07 am

I thought it was fantastic being a Glasgow fan at the tail end of last season. To firstly ruin Ulster's chances of a home final with one of our worst performances of the entire year (complete with Niko theatrics) with a try in he last minute was simply fantastic. To compound the misery by ruining Paul O'Connell's perfect send-off was awesome. As cynical as it is, it was nice being on the other side of it for once - Lord knows we've all been through it following the Thistle. In sport it's sometimes better to be hated and win things and I hope the same happens on Wednesday.

It's been said before, and I happen to agree, that it's unlikely that Japan will have another performance like that in them. That being said, they're dangerous coming forward, they have a guy who kick the points and their scrum held up well against the Springboks. Hell, they nearly did us as few years ago.

We're favourites on Wednesday and now we have the chance to finish top of our group, potentially avoiding a game with England at Twickenham in the Quarter finals.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:13 am

Scotland are still overwhelming 1/6 favorites for this game - the bookies are obviously confident!

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:32 am

“They have the challenge of coming down from the euphoria. I saw Dents [David Denton] put a tweet out about him hoping the Japan squad go out and have a few beers. That gave me a laugh but I’m sure they won’t be doing that. They will be doing everything they can, in the same way as we will, to get ready for this game on Wednesday."

Banter from Dozer!

I very much doubt the Japanese will have fallen off the wagon in Brighton at the weekend. I went to a beer festival once with some Japanese friends and suffice to say what my friends had in numeracy and efficiency, they lacked in alcohol tolerance.

Perhaps we should scrap the rugby and just have a drinking contest. Despite my prior assertions to the contrary, I would make Strauss captain and recall Hamilton and Chunk.

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:36 am

George Carlin wrote:My fondest wish for this tournament is that people who may never normally do so actually watch a Scotland game and are surprised by the quality of the players involved. I think that Scotland suffers more from 'received wisdom' about what they must be like than any other team. I have read so much lazy nonsense it saddens me.

There is a fair argument that our 6N performances brought that on ourselves but I do believe that neutrals would be hopeful of much more and better if they actually knew anything about the players.

I'm going to lose my sh!t if I read one more comment about how we presumably are hoping that it rains and the pitch turns into a Dickensian quagmire. That opinion is now about 3-10 years out of date and is the exact opposite of what is currently true

Our backline now consists of:

9 an experienced scrummie who kicked ~~with a~~ 96% of possession aimlessly skywards but retains the jersey due to a decent success rate from the tee in the last 6 Nations, and some compromising photos of BVC, a pig's head and David Cameron, allegedly.

10 Scotland's best fly half for 20 years

11 one of the best 5 wingers in the Pro12 (top 3 in my opinion) and a proven international tryscorer (Tommy Seymour)

12 (depending on injuries) either (a) a centre whom Will Greenwood has described as one of the best in Europe and an automatic Lions selection (Alex Dunbar) or the lynchpin of Glasgow's title winning midfield (Peter Horne)

13 Scotland's most talented centre for 20 years (Mark Bennett)

14 British Lion who still holds Super Rugby try scoring records

15 British Lion and Scotland's best attacking full back since Andy Irvine

Whenever I mention this I am accused of 'talking the team up' followed by a finger wagging reminder that teams can only be judged by results. That is correct but my point is that Scotland fans have been valid expectation for their side to come of age in this tournament

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:54 am

George Carlin wrote:My fondest wish for this tournament is that people who may never normally do so actually watch a Scotland game and are surprised by the quality of the players involved. I think that Scotland suffers more from 'received wisdom' about what they must be like than any other team. I have read so much lazy nonsense it saddens me.

There is a fair argument that our 6N performances brought that on ourselves but I do believe that neutrals would be hopeful of much more and better if they actually knew anything about the players.

I'm going to lose my sh!t if I read one more comment about how we presumably are hoping that it rains and the pitch turns into a Dickensian quagmire. That opinion is now about 3-10 years out of date and is the exact opposite of what is currently true

Our backline now consists of:

9 an experienced scrummie who kicked ~~with a~~ 96% of possession aimlessly skywards but retains the jersey due to a decent success rate from the tee in the last 6 Nations, and some compromising photos of BVC, a pig's head and David Cameron, allegedly.

10 Scotland's best fly half for 20 years

11 one of the best 5 wingers in the Pro12 (top 3 in my opinion) and a proven international tryscorer (Tommy Seymour)

12 (depending on injuries) either (a) a centre whom Will Greenwood has described as one of the best in Europe and an automatic Lions selection (Alex Dunbar) or the lynchpin of Glasgow's title winning midfield (Peter Horne)

13 Scotland's most talented centre for 20 years (Mark Bennett)

14 British Lion who still holds Super Rugby try scoring records

15 British Lion and Scotland's best attacking full back since Andy Irvine

Whenever I mention this I am accused of 'talking the team up' followed by a finger wagging reminder that teams can only be judged by results. That is correct but my point is that Scotland fans have been valid expectation for their side to come of age in this tournament

brought a tear to my eye!

Japan shouldn't be taken lightly I think we have all said this at some point. Their gutsy display against South Africa has just hammered that thought home.

We should still be aiming for a bonus point win though.

We now face the spectre of having a very good chance of topping this group.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 10:58 am

Jimbo - did you quote GC without adding anything to it for any particular reason? Or did you just think it was so good it had to be said twice??

Radge - a BP win is pushing it a bit I think. I'd be happy with a 3-0 win resulting from a drop goal deflecting of Strauss' beard!

Winning is all that matters for this game.

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 11:02 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Jimbo - did you quote GC without adding anything to it for any particular reason? Or did you just think it was so good it had to be said twice??

Radge - a BP win is pushing it a bit I think. I'd be happy with a 3-0 win resulting from a drop goal deflecting of Strauss' beard!

Winning is all that matters for this game.

Where is your ambition man?!! If the gameplan hasn't changed we should still be aiming to be ruthless and get the try bonus point.

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 11:07 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Jimbo - did you quote GC without adding anything to it for any particular reason? Or did you just think it was so good it had to be said twice??

Radge - a BP win is pushing it a bit I think. I'd be happy with a 3-0 win resulting from a drop goal deflecting of Strauss' beard!

Winning is all that matters for this game.

RDW, may I direct you to GC's original comments on Frodo the Glacial and then the second version.

With the Bok having garnered two points we really should be looking for a TBP win.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 11:09 am

I'm not saying we shouldn't aim for it - we should in every game we play - just that given what happened at the weekend, a win and solid performance would leave me perfectly happy. There's a long way to go in this world cup - this is just the beginning!

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