WHAT NOW FOR SCOTLAND?

SO it all comes down to Samoa. Just like we always expected. With one minor difference. This was supposed to be a straight shoot-out with the Pacific Islanders for second place in Pool B— a knockout tie to reach the knockout stages. Samoa being blown away by Japan means Scotland have a much better chance of making it to the quarterfinals. Here are some of the permutations.

SCOTLAND WIN

Vern Cotter’s men will qualify for the quarter-finals, regardless of how Japan do against the USA. There aren’t enough bonus points, even in this complex Rugby World Cup system, to change that.

SCOTLAND LOSE

A Japan win over the Americans would take Eddie Jones’ team through at our expense. Even if we lose with a bonus point for getting within seven points of the Samoans.

SCOTLAND LOSE IN GLORIOUS STYLE

Here it gets interesting. If the Scots lost but got a bonus point for being within seven points of the Samoans and another for scoring four tries in a completely nutty game, Japan would need to beat the USA and get a bonus point to edge us out.

DRAW

Again Japan need to beat the USA with a bonus point to pip the Scots to a place in the last eight. Then again, if we get a bonus for scoring four tries in a draw — and wouldn’t that be some game to watch? — then the Japanese would be done for regardless. *Important to remember–if, by any combination of quirks, Scotland and Japan a retied on points, Cotter’s mengo through bydintofwinningthehead-toheadPoolBmeeting.