The Breakdown | Japan benefit from home advantage to edge towards tier-two breakthrough | Paul Rees
(The Guardian Sports News)

Leaving aside debate about typhoons, there is a history of hosts on the right end of dubious on-field decisions at World CupsGregor Townsend may have had Russia to prepare for this week but the attention of the Scotland coach drifted towards Sunday´s (hopeful) showdown - Typhoon Hagibis notwithstanding - against the hosts Japan and the stark fact that victory may not be enough to prevent his side from making an early exit for the second time in the last three World Cups.Scotland, who must take four more points from the Pool A finale than the hosts to reach the quarter-finals, had already noted preferential treatment for Japan in the way their games are spread out with no short turnarounds, not that it did England much good four years ago. Continue reading...