GLASGOW No 8 Josh Strauss is positive that Scotland will be ready for Japan when the two nations meet in Gloucester tomorrow. The Japanese set the Rugby World Cup alight when they beat South Africa in their first Pool B game on Saturday, and go into the match against the Scots with their morale at its highest ever. But Strauss, who has just become eligible to play for Scotland and has been named on the bench, is sure he and his team-mates can cope.

“I think our preparation, even before seeing that game, has been right,” the Warriors forward said yesterday. “We’ve never underestimated them. A World Cup is such a big stage and every team rocks up.

“We’ve done our preparation. Nothing changes after that game: they did what we thought they would do and they did it really well. It was just another chance for us to see what they could do.”

The Scotland squad watched Japan’s triumph over the Springboks together, and, while Strauss insisted they all knew how well they could play, he admitted that he and his team-mates were surprised by their ability to last the 80 minutes. It was in fact several minutes into stoppage time when the Japanese scored the winning try in their 34-32 victory - a warning to the Scots that they will have to concentrate from first whistle to last.

“I think like the rest of the world - very surprised with how well Japan played,” South African-born Strauss said when asked for his verdict on that match. “Not that anyone underestimated them, but as everyone said, it was quite a shock.

“I think they played a brilliant game, very well planned, especially against the opposition, and they executed very well. Well done to them.

“Being a massive sport in South Africa, I think everyone in the country probably expected an easy win. But you can’t take anything for granted in the World Cup - it’s always a competition where every team plays well. They’ve got so much more to play for. You’ve got to be clinical to get out of your pool.

“Yeah, we were all watching it on a projector in the team room. It was a very good game of rugby. It was really exciting to watch, and we enjoyed it and were excited for Japan like you are for any team that does well.”

Japan coach Eddie Jones has made six changes to his team for the game against Scotland. Vern Cotter, meanwhile, has gone for his strongest Scotland line-up. Glasgow’s Sean Lamont is preferred to former Warrior Sean Maitland on the wing, while Stuart Hogg returns at full-back after recovering from a foot injury. In the pack, Jonny Gray is partnered by Grant Gilchrist rather than by brother Richie, and Ryan Wilson packs down in the back row.

Scotland (v Japan at Kingsholm, Gloucester, tomorrow, 2.30pm): S Hogg; T Seymour, M Bennett (all Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), S Lamont; F Russell (both Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Gloucester); A Dickinson, R Ford, W Nel, G Gilchrist (all Edinburgh), J Gray, R Wilson (both Glasgow), J Hardie (unattached), D Denton (Edinburgh). Substitutes: F Brown, R Grant (both Glasgow), J Welsh (Newcastle), R Gray (Castres), J Strauss, H Pyrgos, P Horne (all Glasgow), S Maitland (London Irish).