BIG IN JAPAN?

With just 365 days until the World Cup begins, Townsend’s Scots look set to shine in Far East...

AYEAR today, the Rugby World Cup will kick-off in Japan when the host nation take on Russia in the Tokyo Stadium.

Gregor Townsend’s Scotland join them in Pool A, with his team facing Ireland in their first game two days later in Yokohama.

With 365 days to go and counting, Sportsmail’s ROB ROBERTSON looks at how Scotland are shaping up for the task. How tough is Pool A?

Arguably the toughest in the tournament. Ireland are ranked second in the world behind New Zealand, while Samoa ran Scotland close in the group stage of the 2015 World Cup, losing 36-33 in Newcastle. They will have revenge on their minds.

Russia, who Scotland play in their third match, will be easy meat. But, as final fixtures go, it doesn’t come much trickier than Japan in front of a capacity crowd in Yokohama. Two qualify for the knockout stages and that game could determine whether or not Scotland make it. Who will be Scotland’s key men?

Let’s hope Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw are all fit for the tournament. Hogg brings the cutting edge to Townsend’s side, Russell the invention, while Laidlaw keeps the scoreboard ticking over with his goal-kicking. Without any one of them, Scotland’s chances will lessen. Talisman Hogg faces two months out with an ankle injury, but Townsend will have his fingers crossed the full-back is fit for Japan. Any uncapped players whose time might come in Japan?

Blade Thomson. Remember the name. Don’t be surprised if the back row is named by Townsend in his November Test squad and goes on to play a major part for Scotland in the World Cup. He has flown under the radar until now but is definitely one to watch.

Thomson (below) played four times for the Maori All Blacks and is a former New Zealand Under-20 international. He signed for Scarlets in the summer from the Hurricanes in New Zealand and part of the reason for his move was his desire to play international rugby with Scotland. The 27-year-old, who qualifies through his grandad, has raw power and will give Townsend another exciting back-row option. What areas need strengthening?

Fly-half Russell will start the important games for Scotland, with Adam Hastings starting to show he is an able deputy. Hastings still has a long way to go yet, however, to challenge Russell for the starting jersey.

The problem is that Scotland need more than just two candidates for fly-half but there aren’t that many others out there. Remember Duncan Weir? He’s out of favour with Townsend but starting at Worcester Warriors. Peter Horne is a better centre than fly-half, while Ruaridh Jackson is nearing the end of his career. Who will be Scotland’s World Cup captain? Too early to say as there are three excellent candidates. The man who currently holds the honour is hooker Stuart McInally, who was named skipper ahead of the summer tour to Canada, USA and Argentina. John Barclay was captain for the Six Nations, while Laidlaw, who was skipper before him, is also in the frame. Any one of them would be a fine leader in Japan in 12 months’ time. How is Scotland’s fixture list in the run-up to the tournament?

They have 13 fixtures between now and the World Cup. There are four in November; against Wales in Cardiff, followed by matches at Murrayfield against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.

After the Six Nations there are four World Cup warm-up matches, home and away against France then home and away against Georgia.

Scotland then return home for a few weeks before flying to a training camp in Nagasaki to make final World Cup preparations. Who are the danger men in Scotland’s group? IRELAND

JOhNNy SExTON. Scotland have Russell, Ireland have Sexton. Both world-class on their day and players who can change games with one pass. Sexton is a more consistent and tactically astute fly-half than Russell, albeit the Scot has more flair.

As first-choice British and Irish Lion on the last tour to New Zealand, the 33-year-old Irishman is hugely experienced, cool under pressure and used to pulling out winning kicks in big matches. SAMOA

ChRiS Vui. The captain led his team to a 42-28 victory over Germany which clinched their World Cup qualification in June. Vui, who plays for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership, is equally at home as a flanker or a lock forward.

The first time the 24-year-old skippered Samoa was against Scotland in a narrow 44-38 defeat at Murrayfield last year. RUSSIA yuRy KuShNaREV. His ability off the kicking tee helped his nation reach the World Cup finals. The 33-year-old, who can play fly-half or full-back, has played 99 times for his country and is their best-known player. JAPAN

KazuKi himENO. The captain of Jake White’s Toyota Verblitz may have played only six times for his country so far, but is their rising star. The flanker, who can also play in the second row, made his debut against Australia last year and is a hugely influential figure already for the Japanese. Who will Scotland face in the knockout stages if they finish first or second in Pool A?

Win Pool A and they will take on the runners-up of Pool D — which is made up of Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay — in Tokyo on Sunday, October 20.

Finish second in the group and they will play the winners of Pool B — consisting of New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia and the yet-to-be-finalised winner of the repechage tournament — in the same city on October 19.

There is nothing to fear if they top Pool A but finish runners-up and either South Africa or New Zealand will be the toughest of quarter-finals. And after that?

Let’s not get too carried away. Making the quarter-finals should be Scotland’s minimum requirement. We can dare to dream if we win our match in the last eight.