Japan move above Scotland in world rankings

Japan have moved above their next World Cup opponents Scotland in rugby union's official world rankings.

The countries will meet in a Pool B clash at Gloucester’s Kingsholm ground on Wednesday afternoon, just four days after Japan produced the biggest shock in World Cup history by beating two-time tournament winners South Africa.

The latest rankings list, published by World Rugby on Monday, shows that Japan have risen two places to 11th, with Scotland — who have yet to start their World Cup campaign — dropping from 10th to 12th.

South Africa, meanwhile, have fallen three places into sixth spot as a result of the 34-32 defeat in Brighton.

Ireland have moved up one place to fifth on the back of their 50-7 win over Canada while World Cup hosts England and their Pool A rivals Wales are now third, and fourth, respectively.

And it means that three teams in the same World Cup group — Australia, England and Wales — now occupy the three places immediately below long-time rankings leaders New Zealand.

Further down the list, Georgia are rewarded for their 17-10 World Cup victory over Tonga by jumping three places into 13th.

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter, meanwhile, will put out a near first-choice line-up as he looks to avoid becoming the second side to slip up Japan.

Scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw will skipper the Dark Blues at Kingsholm in the Scots’ Pool B opener.

Mark Bennett and Matt Scott will form the Scots’ midfield partnership, while Stuart Hogg has shaken off an ankle knock to get the nod at full-back.

Wing Sean Lamont — partnered by Tommy Seymour — will nudge closer to his century of caps when he makes his 98th Scotland appearance, while Finn Russell will be expected to set a rapid tempo against the physical Japanese outfit from stand-off.

The all Edinburgh front-row of props Alasdair Dickinson, WP Nel and hooker Ross Ford lead a pack that also features locks Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray in the second-row, with Ryan Wilson, John Hardie and number eight David Denton named as the starting loose forwards.

South African-born Josh Strauss — who only qualified for Scotland through residency rules last week — could make his Test debut off the bench.

The Scots have won all four of their previous clashes against Japan but Cotter knows his side will face a side high on confidence after their Springboks triumph.

He 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 is to ensure that we get our jobs right with accuracy, and impose ourselves on the game.”

Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Sean Lamont; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Willem Nel; , Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray; Ryan Wilson, John Hardie, David Denton. Replacements: Fraser Brown, Ryan Grant, Jon Welsh, Richie Gray, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Peter Horne, Sean Maitland.

Japan: Ayumu Goromaru; Kotaro Matsushima, Male Sa’u, Yu Tamura, Kenki Fukuoka; Harumichi Tatekawa, Fumiaki Tanaka; Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Hiroshi Yamashita; Luke Thompson, Justin Ives; Michael Leitch (c), Michael Broadhurst, Amanaki Mafi. Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Shoji Ito, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh