It's all a bit messy from Scotland. Russia did a fine job in halting the maul drive, and Scotland's first-phase move doesn't go to plan.

Duncan Taylor overran Pete Horne, who juggled the ball before shovelling it on to Graham.

That pass wasn't really on, and unsurprisingly, Graham can't hold it. Horne probably ought to have kept control of the ball and taken the hit himself.

Here come Scotland, with Graham again punching the first hole in the Russian defence before George Turner bundles on a bit further.

Graham was caught high, and Blair Kinghorn stabs the penalty into the corner.

First chance for the Scottish set-piece to fire inside the Russian 22.

A first hot-stepping foray for Darcy Graham from broken field, as Gaisin's long boot is worked his way by Adam Hastings and Blair Kinghorn.

Graham darts between two Russians but is then hit from behind, forcing the ball from his grasp.

Russia win a free-kick from the scrum and come barreling out of their own 22 before Gaisin hoofs downfield.

Finally, a break. Penalty Russia in their own 22 for a ruck offence.

The Russian line-out falters, though, and Scotland pinch it back via the fingertips of Ben Toolis.

Hastings probes a nice diagonal kick into touch inside the Russian 22.

It's a bit of a stalemate, that period of play. Russia get through 16 phases but Scotland bulldoze them backwards.

Gaisin goes to the skies again and it's brilliantly taken by Adam Hastings.

Now off go the Scots with Tommy Seymour and Darcy Graham making good inroads up either flank.

We've played four continuous minutes so far - no stoppages, no infringements, no set-pieces. This will be scorching the lungs a little...

Encouraging early possession for Russia after they regather Gaisin's towering up-and-under.

They're racking up the phases, shifting the point of attack, but aren't really threatening to puncture the Scottish defence.

Russia fly-half Ramil Gaisin gets us under way!

The anthems are done, we're almost ready to go in the maiden meeting of Scotland and Russia...

Can anybody help teacher Derrick Roberts shoehorn rugby into his history lesson?

He says on Twitter: "School day hasn't started yet. Jotters to mark, game on in the background. Now, how do I get the Scotland game into a lesson on Anschluss? Hmmmm #bbcsportscot, external"

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Shizuoka

The drums are beating, the atmosphere is crackling and the teams stride out in the Shizuoka sunshine.

Interestingly, vastly-experienced back-row John Barclay starts this morning, having been dropped following the heinous opening loss to Ireland.

That suggests he won't start against Japan in the potential winner-takes-all shootout in four days' time.

"I guess the reality is that the guys who are playing against Russia will be on the outskirts for the next game. It doesn't take much to work out," Barclay, who is captain today, said earlier in the week.

"But, equally, for the guys who are playing against Russia there is huge motivation to get involved for that Japan match.

"The reality is there will need to be a big performance and I need to prove I deserve to be involved against Japan."

Image source, Getty Images

I suspect there will still be a great deal of shrieking in the press box, especially the half-time scoff is served.

Right then, let's conduct an extremely unscientific poll to gauge how bullish or apprehensive you lot are feeling about this game.

Will Scotland get the four-try bonus point they crave?

Hit thumbs-up for yes, thumbs-down for no...

Feeling nervous? Confident? Got a point to raise, a question to ask, or some wisdom to impart on Gregor Townsend and his troops?

Have your say on social media using the hashtag #bbcsportscot. Clean submissions only, please...

It was the turn of inimitable Scotland prop Gordon Reid to face the media this week, and boy, did the big fella deliver.

This, on his culinary adventures in Japan, is a particular highlight:

"I saw these things... they can only be described as like meatballs… but one of them was purple and one was green. I didn't have a clue what it was, and I tried it, and I'm not going to lie, it was actually quite good. I don't have a clue what it was, so if any of the Japanese [media] want to help out..."

You can read what else the Ayrshire Bull had to say in this belter of a piece from Tom English.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest most of you following these pages don't know a great deal about Scotland's opponents.

You can educate yourself - and kill five minutes of your commute - with our quiz, which can be found here.

Anything above 3/5 is decent going, I reckon.

It wouldn't be Rugby World Cup 2019 without a sighting of Bak-san, the fanatical supporter who has taken to painting various teams' jerseys all over his torso.

Well, I say he does the painting, but unless he's also a contortionist, he must surely have some assistance.

Bak-san is said to have tickets for 27 of the matches thus far, which suggests there's a fair bit of coin to be made in the torso-painting business.

Anyway, Bak-san is rooting for the Russians today. Apparently, he tends to back the favourites, so Scotland fans, interpret that as you please...

Image source, Getty Images

John Barclay and Vasily Artemyev looking rather jovial at the coin toss. That won't last long

Image source, Getty Images

Couple of cracking former Scotland captains on commentary duty with Andrew Cotter this morning.