Jones says no excuses if Japan can’t beat Scotland

GLOUCESTER, England (Sept. 22) – Japan coach Eddie Jones said Tuesday his side will have no excuses if they are unable to beat Scotland on Wednesday in Pool B of Rugby World Cup 2015.

“We knew we were going to have a four-day turnaround but we will give it our best shot and hopefully play some good rugby,” he told a packed media room at Kingsholm.

“We are going to go in free and easy and if we are good enough we will win and if we’re not then we won’t win.”

Asked if there was more pressure on his team following the historic win over South Africa on the opening weekend, Jones said the pressure was on Scotland.

“You only feel pressure when you don’t know what you are doing. Last Saturday showed the world order of rugby can change, so the pressure is on Scotland and on World Rugby.”

Jones admitted his players were bruised following the win over the Springboks but he said mentally they were ready to go.

“If we are in the game at halftime we will win. We are definitely fitter than Scotland and we will run them off their feet.”

Flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa said that while the team had targeted a spot in the quarterfinals they were “only looking at the next game and weren’t looking too far ahead.”

Jones said he was expecting the neutrals in the crowd to back his team.

“The locals all wear red and white,” he said referring to fans of Gloucester Rugby, who are known as the Cherry and Whites.

“And as we know the English don’t like the Scots so that’s another bonus.”