Eddie Jones wants Japan to beat Scotland and justify rankings rise

Japan coach Eddie Jones wants his men to beat Scotland on Wednesday and prove their stunning win over South Africa was no fluke.

The Brave Blossoms have become the stars of the World Cup since sucker-punching the two-time former champions in Brighton on Saturday.

But with four days rest, they now take on a Scotland side desperate not to become the second major scalp claimed by the Asian champions.

Their Springboks victory now takes Japan above Vern Cotter’s Dark Blues in the World Rugby rankings after moving up to 11th and Jones has told his men they now have the chance to justify that position when they run out at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium.

He said: “You don’t get any bonus points for ranking tomorrow. When we start the game we will both be on the same ranking.

“Are we favourites? Well if you read most of the papers we’re not.

“People still think it was a fluke that we beat South Africa, so this is a great chance for us to show it wasn’t and really front us as a serious rugby nation.”