WXV2: Scotland beat Japan 38-7 to retain hopes of winning title

Scotland's Lisa Thomson holds off Japan's Kanako Kobayashi

Scotland defeated Japan with a bonus point to remain in contention to beat Italy to the WXV2 title.

The Scots trailed early on after Iroha Nagata registered a converted score.

A penalty try levelled matters just before half-time in Cape Town and Emma Orr went over to give Scotland the lead early in the second period.

Coreen Grant, Lana Skeldon, Sara Bonar and Orr extended their advantage and helped open up a 24-strong points difference advantage over Italy.

The Italians have 10 points from two matches and face the United States on Saturday needing a bonus-point win by more than 25 points to snatch the title.

• Six-try Scotland beat Japan - as it happened

Scotland went into round three in confident mood after wins over hosts South Africa and the USA.

But they found themselves behind when Iroha Nagata evaded Rachel McLachlan's tackle to cross on the right and Ayasa Otsuka confidently converted.

Japan piled on the pressure in the opening half-hour but the Scots held them to seven points.

Handling errors cost Scotland at the other end but they forced a series of scrums towards the end of the half and ultimately a penalty try, with Japan's Sachiko Kato yellow carded.

And they capitalised on the numerical advantage after the break as Orr found a gap and showed pace and determination to touch down. Helen Nelson added two points with the boot.

Fine phase play put replacement Grant in in the left corner but Nelson's conversion attempt was short.

Scotland's rolling maul tactic had yielded little fruit in the first half but Skeldon's try finally brought reward, with Nelson converting.

Bonar pounced on a stray kick to power over for try number five and replacement Meryl Smith added the conversion.

Orr leapt over as time ran out and Smith's conversion came back off the upright.

Bryan Easson's side may ultimately secure the WVX2 title, there will be no promotion from the second tier for any side until 2026.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: "We knew that Japan were going to come out of the traps and it was a tough first half. At half-time, we said to stick to our processes and play in the right areas.

"I couldn't be more proud of this group - they have worked so hard. Six wins on the bounce now and that's testament to the work they have put in."

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: "We've got a team filled with inspirational women, we've got a management team filled with incredible people.

"We've done everything in the last 12 months to turn this team around, and we had a lot of people that doubted us. I hope they are watching now. It's been a fantastic tournament, an incredible experience."

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Lisa Cockburn, Sarah Bonar, Jade Konkel, Caity Mattinson, Meryl Smith, Coreen Grant.

Japan: Sora Nishimura, Misaki Matsumura, Komachi Imakugi, Haruka Hirotsu, Kanako Kobayashi, Ayasa Otsuka, Moe Tsukui; Sachiko Kato, Kotomi Taniguchi, Yuka Sadaka, Masami Kawamura, Otoka Yoshimura, Sakurako Korai, Iroha Nagata, Seina Saito.

Replacements: Hinata Komaki, Asuka Kuge, Nijiho Nagata, Jennifer Nduka, Ayano Nagai, Kotono Yasuo, Minori Yamamoto Nao Ando.