Japan bring the curtain down on their European tour at Murrayfield against Scotland. Shaun Goosen previews.
Scotland v Japan
20 November
Murrayfield
15:00
To Win Match
Scotland 1/12 | Draw 33/1 | Japan 13/2
Handicap
Scotland (-17.5) 9/10 | Japan (+17.5) 9/10
Scotland will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Springboks last week by exacting revenge on Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scots’ loss to the Japanese at the last World Cup remains fresh in the memory of Gregor Townsend’s side. While that defeat was hardly a shock given how well the host nation performed at the showpiece event, the reality was that it ended the Brave Hearts’ playoff hopes and denied a very talented squad the chance to advance on the biggest stage of all.
They’ll be carrying that hurt with them into their encounter this weekend.
Scotland’s two good wins over Tonga and Australia over the past few weeks were quickly forgotten after the physical beating they took at the hands of South Africa. In spite of some positive moments, the eventual 15-30 loss was totally one-sided and they will be eager to get back to winning ways here.
Finn Russell wasn’t given much to work with against the Boks but should get more opportunities to free up the likes of Duhan van der Merwe and Stuart Hogg on Saturday.
Japan have recently suffered a narrow 23-32 loss to Australia in Oita and a 5-60 hammering by Ireland in Dublin, but last week came good to beat Portugal 38-25 in Coimbra.
The Asian outfit have real quality in loosies Kazuki Himeno and Lappies Labuschagne, who may look to target the breakdown and so spoil the quick ball that makes Scotland so dangerous.
Verdict: Japan (+17.5) 9/10
I suspect that Scotland will have the edge in this one but not by much. Japan definitely have it in them to stay within the handicap.
