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Preview: Japan v Scotland

Japan were riding high at the World Cup after their stunning win over South Africa, but after a short, three-day turnaround, a 10-45 defeat to Scotland put the brakes on their campaign.

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On Saturday, the Brave Blossoms will be missing poster-boy Goromaru, who is headed from the Reds to Toulon, but is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.

But captain Shota Horie said he was sure the 2019 World Cup hosts would be the ones celebrating after the game at Toyota Stadium, in Aichi prefecture west of Tokyo.

"A key is how much forwards will be able to push ourselves and challenge," he said. 

"We will give all of our strength so that we will be laughing at the end of the match."

For Scotland, 22-year-old wing Damien Hoyland will make his first start and is one of five changes made by coach Vern Cotter after their final Six Nations game, a defeat to Ireland, in March.

Ruaridh Jackson gets his chance at flyhalf, centre Matt Scott replaces the injured Alex Dunbar, hooker Stuart McInally makes his second start and lock Jonny Gray returns from a pectoral tear.

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The sides will meet again at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium for a second Test on June 25.

Players to watch:

For Japan: Flank Hendrik Tui has a lot of experience playing amongst the Southern Hemisphere's elite in Super Rugby. He could be a handful for the Scots with ball in hand.

For Scotland: Flank John Hardie can be a handful when it comes to the breakdowns. His speed and physicality will also give the Japanese a few problems.

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Head to head: Lock Hitoshi Ono is 12 years older than his opposite number, Richie Gray, but he does not have the same skill set. It will be interesting to see how both fair in the line-outs and in open play.   

Recent results:

2015: Scotland won 45-10, Gloucester

2013: Scotland won 42-17, Edinburgh

2004: Scotland won 100-8, Perth

2003: Scotland won 11-32, Townsville

1991: Scotland won 47-9, Edinburgh

Prediction: Japan might want revenge for last year's World Cup defeat, but Scotland are in a totally different league and should win by at least 20 points. 

Teams: 

Japan: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Mifi Poseti Paea, 13 Tim Bennetts, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Yasutaka Sasakura, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 7 Shokei Kin, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Naohiro Kotaki, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie (captain), 1 Keita Inagaki.

Replacements: 16 Takeshi Kizu, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Kotaro Yatabe, 20 Hiroki Yamamoto, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Kosei Ono, 23 Rikiya Matsuda.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Damien Hoyland, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.

Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Moray Low, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 David Denton, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Sean Maitland.

Date: Saturday, June 18

Venue: Toyota Stadium, Tokyo 

Kick-off: 19:20 (11.20 BST; 10:20 GMT)

Expected weather: Conditions will be warm with a strong breeze.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)

Assistant Referees: Marius Mitrea (Italy), Brendan Pickerill (New Zealand)

TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)

Agence France-Presse

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