Five things we learned as Scotland see off Japan at WXV

They were really made to work for this 19-13 victory and it was not vintage Scotland in South Africa, but it means they will take on Australia next weekend in their final game still with a chance of retaining the title they won in 2023.

With South Africa men’s skipper Siya Kolisi in the ground and watching on, Scotland got off to a perfect start when Francesca McGhie drifted infield off her wing and burst through the Japanese defence to score her eighth try for her country. Stand-off Helen Nelson converted ant it was 7-0 after three minutes.

After 16 minutes a neat dink kick over the top by Japan scrum-half Moe Tsukui set winger Rinka Matsuda away and only an excellent cover tackle - and penalty win - from winger Rhona Lloyd stopped her from scoring.

The first drinks break in the heat then came and Scotland would have been keen to rediscover the dominance they had early on.

As the half hour mark app roached, the Scots were defending relatively well, but were not being accurate enough in attack.

And Japan took advantage when they scored an unconverted try after 28 minutes. A kick by the was kept in play by Lloyd and Japan pounced, a couple of phases later number eight Seina Saito powering over to make it 7-5.

Five minutes later another kick through caused Scotland issues and full- back Chloe Rollie had to be alive to stop Matsuda from scoring. Saito was then held up over the line and Japan were the team on the front foot.

Just like last year versus Japan and last week against Italy, Scotland then found a crucial second try just before half-time. Good hands set up young back -row Alex Stewart and she went over for her first international try.

It was unconverted and it was 12-5 at the interval.

Scotland could not build on that early in the second half and, in the 52nd minute, six changes were made to try and bring some energy.

It was Japan who scored next though, stand-off Ayasa Otsuka kicking a penalty in the 57th minute to make it 12-8.

Leia Brebner-Holden then came on at scrum-half and her pace of delivery helped get Scotland’s attack going and they found the edge and Lloyd went over from short range for her 25th international score. Centre Meryl Smith converted for 19-8

Japan were not done yet though and a try from captain Iroha Nagata, which was unconverted, made it 19-13 in the 66th minute.

That set up a nervy last 14 minutes with Scotland looking to secure the win and maybe get a four try bonus point. They got the former, but not the latter and they will just be pleased to have got out of this unscathed.

Here are five things we learned from the action at Athlone Sports Stadium.

Francesca McGhie dangerous coming off her wing

At times early in her Scotland career Francesca McGhie used to hug the touchline, but here right from the first minute she was roaming around in different parts of the pitch. It paid dividends when they opened the scoring after just three minutes and she is such an exciting runner and an evasive talent that it was good to see Scotland using her this way.

First half defensive effort

After a bright start, Scotland spent a lot of the first period defending. They made over 80 tackles in that 40 minutes with Japan making just less than 50 so although it was not the prettiest the Scots did well to only concede five points. There were some good double hits and some good work over the ball at the breakdown.

Crucial score just before half-time

After the opening 10 minutes or so Scotland did not have any real scoring chances of note until just before the break. Then lovely interplay saw McGhie set up back-rower Alex Stewart who finished well. To be 12 -5 up at that point when they could have been behind was massive and showed the growing confidence and ruthless mentality in this squad.

Leia Brebner-Holden continues to impress

She is just 22 with four caps to her name, but every time the scrum-half comes off the bench she makes an impact. This was not an easy game to come into given the pressure Japan were putting Scotland under, but she did not look flustered and her speed of service allowed them to get their third try and, ultimately, secure the win.

Scotland will need to up their game to beat Australia

Two wins from two then and a chance to win the tournament once again going into week three.

That is what Scotland would have hoped before it all started, but they know that they will need to be much-improved from the showings against Italy and Japan to have a chance of beating Australis next Saturday. A big week of preparation awaits.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Meryl Smith, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson (Emma Orr 52), Caity Mattinson (Leia Brebner-Holden 61); Leah Bartlett (Anne Young 52), Lana Skeldon (Elis Martin 52), Christine Belisle (Lisa Cockburn 52), Louise McMillan, Sarah Bonar (Eva Donaldson 52), Rachel Malcolm (C), Alex Stewart, Jade Konkel (Evie Gallagher 52).

Tries: McGhie (3), Stewart (40), Lloyd (63)

Conversions: Nelson (3), Smith (63)  

Japan: Sora Nishimura; Rinka Matsuda, Mana Furuta, Haruka Hirotsu (Kanako Kobayashi 76), Komachi Imakugi; Ayasa Otsuka, Moe Tsukui (Megumi Abe 63); Sachiko Kato (Manami Mine 56), Asuka Kuge (Kotomi Taniguchi 56), Wako Kitano (Nijiho Nagata 63), Yuna Sato, Otoka Yoshimura (Sakurako Korai 63), Masami Kawamura, Iroha Nagata (C), Seina Saito (Jennifer Nduka 56).

Tries: Saito (28), Iroha Nagata (66)

Penalty: Otsuka (57)

Referee: Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa)

Player of the Match: Meryl Smith (Scotland)

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