Rugby World Cup 2019: Greig Laidlaw captain for Japan clash as Scotland make 12 changes

Michael Leitch will return as Japan captain if the match in Yokohama goes ahead

Greig Laidlaw has been named as captain of the Scotland Rugby side to face Japan Rugby, with Stuart McInally only on the bench.

The match is in doubt with Typhoon Hagibis threatening Yokohama on Sunday.

But both sides have named their line-ups for the clash, which could decide who progresses from Pool A.

Gregor Townsend makes 12 changes to the side that beat Russia, with wings Darcy Graham and Tommy Seymour retaining their places, and Fraser Brown moving from flanker to his regular position of hooker, starting ahead of captain McInally.

Allan Dell and WP Nel start at prop, while Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray return in the second row.

Blade Thomson gets the nod at number eight, with Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury on the flanks.

Laidlaw combines with Finn Russell in the halves for a Scottish record 36th time, while Chris Harris is selected ahead of Duncan Taylor at outside centre, with Sam Johnson returning to the 12 jersey.

Stuart Hogg completes the back three at full-back. There is no place in the 23 for Adam Hastings despite the Glasgow fly-half starring last time out against Russia.

“It’s taken a real squad effort from our players here in Japan to put us in a position to play for a place in the quarter-finals, having risen to the challenge of what’s effectively been knockout rugby since the second round of our Pool,” Townsend said.

“The entire group has featured in our past two Tests, both of which have been clinical and professional performances.

“It was great to see players get the opportunity to play in this World Cup on Wednesday and it looked like they enjoyed the experience.

“The effort invested in defence, support play and clearing has been encouraging and has put a lot of pressure on the opposition.

“A few players have pushed hard for selection with the form they’ve shown in training and in the last two games and it’s now down to this group of 23 men to build on this momentum and squad togetherness to deliver a winning performance against Japan.”

Michael Leitch will captain Japan, skippering the side after Lappies Labuschagne took the reins against Ireland and Samoa.

Shota Horie and Luke Thompson add further bulk to the pack at hooker and lock respectively.

Michael Leitch will captain Japan (Getty Images)

Winger Kenki Fukuoka is fully fit and earns a starting berth in the back three, and is joined by Will Tupou, who starts at full-back.

Townsend is hopeful that the game will go ahead.

“The opportunity to face the hosts in such a decisive Pool match will be a unique occasion and should be a great spectacle,” he said.

“Games of this magnitude don’t come around very often in a playing career so we will be giving it everything to make sure it is a memorable match.”

Scotland team to face Japan (October 13, 11.45am BST)

Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Chris Harris, Sam Johnson, Darcy Graham; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (captain); Allan Dell, Fraser Brown, WP Nel; Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray; Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Blade Thomson.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Gordon Reid, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Ryan Wilson, George Horne, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn

Japan team to face Scotland

Will Tupou; Kotaro Matsushima, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Kenki Fukuoka; Yu Tamura, Yutaka Nagare; Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Jiwon Koo; Luke Thompson, James Moore; Michael Leitch (captain), Lappies Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno.

Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, Uwe Helu, Hendrik Tui, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rikiya Matsuda, Ryohei Yamanaka