大象传媒

Dougie Vipond introduces live coverage of the first match of a two-Test series between 2019 World Cup hosts Japan and Scotland.

This is the first meeting of the sides on Japanese soil for 27 years. They were paired together in Group B of the 2015 World Cup, where Japan caused one of the biggest upsets in tournament history by beating South Africa 34-32. Vern Cotter's side subsequently secured a 45-10 victory over the Brave Blossoms, scoring five tries.

There has been an upsurge in the popularity of rugby in Japan following those performances, with club games experiencing a six-fold rise in spectators and an expectation that today's attendance could be close to full capacity.

John Beattie is joined in the commentary box by Nick Scrivener, who was appointed backs coach at local side Toyota Verdblitz in 2015. Scrivener has a unique perspective on both sides having spent two years coaching at Edinburgh Rugby between 2009 and 2011 as well as being head coach of Scotland 'A' in 2010.