Townsend keeps faith game will go ahead

GREGOR Townsend has called on World Cup chiefs to do everything they ca n to e n s u r e Scotland’s win-or-bust clash with Japan goes ahead on Sunday – even if it mea n s pl ay i n g the crucial showdown behind closed doors.

World Rugby have been forced to call off two games tomorrow – including England’s meeting with France – as Super Typhoon Hagibis prepares to wreak havoc across Japan’s eastern coast.

But they have delayed making a decision on scrapping the Scots’ final Pool A match with the hosts at Yokohama’s International Stadium until the morning of the game in the hope that the worst of the storm will have passed by the 7.45pm (4am BST) kick-off time.

Scotland need to beat the Brave Blossoms to progress but cancelling the game would see the match recorded as a draw and spell the end of the Dark Blues’ campaign without them kicking another ball.

Such a shock move is certain to spark a huge backlash from the Scotland faithful, especially as World Rugby had previously insisted they had contingency measures in place for typhoon season.

The Scottish Rugby Union have already insisted it “fully expects” plans will be made to ensure the game goes ahead, with Murrayfield sources expressing concern over the competition’s sporting integrity if it were called off.

But having also called off New Zealand’s clash with Italy – effectively knocking the Azzurri out of the competition – it appears World Rugby are not willing to budge on their rules that state pool matches cannot be rescheduled to a later date.

However, Townsend believes there are other ways to ensure the Japan clash goes ahead.

The Scotland head coach said: “We believe the game hasn’t been cancelled because the weather forecast is much improved for Sunday.

“It looks like the game will be played and that’s what we have to keep faith with. World Rugby have made the call with a lot of certainty and a lot of confidence that the game will go ahead on Sunday night.

“We have to have faith in the organisers that the game will be played even if it’s behind closed doors or at a different venue.

“I’ve since been told things can change because of exceptional circumstances.

“If that means Monday because it takes a day for things to be put back in order then who knows. But right now I think they’re planning on it going ahead on Sunday.”

However, tournament director Alan Gilpin has already ruled out a change of date.

Asked if Scotland’s game could be pushed back 24 hours, he said: “Italy are in the same position as Scotland are in. We would be loving to play that game. But we won’t treat that match any differently.”