Scotland name team for Japan clash
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Scotland name team for Japan clash
Head coach Vern Cotter has named the Scotland team to face Japan in the national team's opening game of the Rugby World Cup at Kingsholm Stadium this Wednesday.
The sides have met on four previous Test-capped occasions – twice in the World Cup – with the Scots coming out on top each time; the most recent of which being a 42-17 autumn win at Murrayfield two years ago.
Japan then went on to record 11 consecutive wins to help elevate their status to a top-ten side in the World Rugby rankings for the first time, before underlining their improved status with a 34-32 win over South Africa in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
Cotter said: "We've prepared well for what will be a very tough Test against a powerful and fit Japanese team, who like to play a high-tempo game.
"They [Japan] will have taken a lot of confidence from their opening win over South Africa however that doesn't change our approach to this game or the pool.
"The priority for us to ensure that we get our jobs right with accuracy, and impose ourselves on the game.
The sides have met on four previous Test-capped occasions – twice in the World Cup – with the Scots coming out on top each time; the most recent of which being a 42-17 autumn win at Murrayfield two years ago.
Japan then went on to record 11 consecutive wins to help elevate their status to a top-ten side in the World Rugby rankings for the first time, before underlining their improved status with a 34-32 win over South Africa in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
Cotter said: "We've prepared well for what will be a very tough Test against a powerful and fit Japanese team, who like to play a high-tempo game.
"They [Japan] will have taken a lot of confidence from their opening win over South Africa however that doesn't change our approach to this game or the pool.
"The priority for us to ensure that we get our jobs right with accuracy, and impose ourselves on the game.
