Japan the perfect test for Scotland and Taylor
For the Scotland squad that arrived in Japan this morning for their two-Test tour, this two-week trip represents a trip into the unknown.
Scotland may have played and beaten the Cherry Blossoms in the Rugby World Cup last year, but Japan side had defeated South Africa in an epic contest just four days before and were out on their feet during the second half at Kingsholm as the Scots won 45-10.
Not only did this Japan squad become the first to win three games at the World Cup without advancing from the pool – including an emphatic 26-5 victory over Samoa – but they have also been exposed to Super Rugby through the inclusion of the Sunwolves in the tournament and the fact that they have several players in overseas Super Rugby teams.
On the debit side, Japan have lost the inspirational coaching team led by Eddie Jones who masterminded their Rugby World Cup campaign. Instead tyro coach Jamie Joseph is at the helm, the former All Black flanker taking charge of Japan for the first time last night when they played Canada in Vancouver.
If there is one Scot arriving in Tokyo with fewer preconceptions than many of his team-mates, it is Duncan Taylor. The Saracens centre, one of Scotland’s standout players in the Six Nations, missed the World Cup because of injury and has never been to Japan.
Pitting himself against a side who will play fast, attacking rugby is a prospect he relishes. “They have obviously learned a lot from the World Cup and Super Rugby,” he said. “I think they will be even more of a force to be reckoned with on home soil, so this will be a massive test. They are ranked 10th in the world and we are ninth, so they want our scalp. We have to be on the money.”
For Taylor, this Test series is a chance to make further strides after a Six Nations in which a fourth-place finish and two wins were a solid return. “We need to kick on from the Six Nations,” he said. “We all felt there were a couple of games that got away from us, where we weren’t quite clinical enough and weren’t quite good enough in that final third.
“Summer tours like this are very important because you’re around each other 24/7 so you get to know each other very well. On the playing side, it’s really important to try and keep a bit of continuity.”
It is also an important chance for Taylor, who was a key cog in Saracens’ Premiership-winning machine, to establish himself as Scotland’s starting outside centre. With Alex Dunbar injured and Mark Bennett struggling for form, the first Test in Toyota City on Saturday is a golden opportunity to consolidate his hold on the spot.
“I’ve got a lot more confidence in myself and in my game at Test level,” he said. “When I first came into the Scotland set-up I wasn’t sure whether I was capable of playing at this level, but the more you play, the more comfortable you feel. I’m at the stage when I enjoy going out there and playing with these guys.”
Taylor added he had been helped by the fact that he had three months out through injury, which has meant that he has still been fresh coming to the end of the campaign. His focus remains on lifting Scotland’s current record, though. “We want to get better and improve our world ranking and all that, but ultimately this is absolutely about wanting to win both Tests, That is first and foremost, and in the end it’s what will be in the record books.”