Scotland centre Matt Scott believes his squad are on the verge of putting ‘a team to the sword’ ahead of their second Test match against Japan.
Greg Laidlaw was clinical with his boot and a WP Nel try helped the Scots clinch a 26-13 win in the first of a two-Test series in Toyota City.
And Scott, who lines up alongside Peter Horne for the second Test in Tokyo on Saturday – with Emperor Akihito in attendance – admits his team are seeking a cutting edge to round off their tour of Asia.
“We did not take our chances as well as we could have (in the first Test),” said Scott. “We need to be more clinical in their 22 and take our opportunities and when we are playing the ball in the middle of the pitch.
“We got turned over there and they scored their try, something they are very good at.
“In the first half we controlled the possession and territory but we could not get far ahead of them.
“We got to their line but did not score. These scores will take us to the next level as a team. We are creating the opportunities – the next stage is to put a team to the sword.”
Scott, 26, made his Scotland debut in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations and has since become a regular in the side but injuries have limited him to 35 caps.
He is hoping for a return to Japan when the country host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 – and admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the support from locals.
“We have been taken aback by the number of rugby-mad people that are here, compared to other countries we have been to,” said Scott.
“They are really embracing rugby. That will only grow with the success of the Japan team, leading up to the World Cup.
“I am sure it will be an amazing place to be coming to in 2019, so, yes, I would love to be involved.”
