Scotland victory!

Well that piece of brilliance from Gallagher proved to be more than just magic, it was golden and secured Scotland the win – a priceless win, despite not quite getting the bonus point.

Huge contributions from many of the starting XV, plus notable performances off the bench from Orr, Brebner-Holden, Gallagher and Martin were particular highlights.

Full time: Japan 13-19 Scotland

Scotland hanging on

Evie Gallagher produces a piece of magic as she manages to get her hands on the ball despite it being at the back of a Japan driving maul.

Meryl Smith has been named the Player of the Match after her fantastic contributions today.

Players cramping as the conditions catch up

Players have fallen like flies in the past 10 minutes or so. Clearly the heat and barely a breath of wind is catching up with both sides now.

Chances piling up for Scotland

A brilliant line break from Evie Gallagher opens up huge space for Scotland, followed in well by strong supporting hands. Scotland well and truly camped in the 22 now, as they desperately look for that elusive fourth try to give the Scots a bonus point win.

So close, but ultimately Scotland give away a penalty for a croc roll.

Kobayashi comes on for Haruka Hirotsu for Japan.

Another chance for Scotland

Pressure mounting again for Scotland as they win a penalty in the midfield. Smith again thumps the ball out in the 22, and the lineout drive is fantastic, but ultimately the ball is ripped away from Orr just metres away from the try line and Japan clears.

Try for Japan

A driving maul inside Scotland’s 22 sees Japan’s captain Iroha Nagata cross over out wide, and Minori Yamamoto can’t convert. (13-19)

Subs on for Japan

Japan are looking to empty their bench too, as the following subs are made:

Sadaka on for Katano, Abe on for Tsukui, Yamamoto for Otsuka.

Try for Scotland – Rhona Lloyd!

A bullet pass from Brebner-Holden to Meryl Smith goes wide again to Emma Orr, who is tackled but offloads to Lloyd who dots down in the corner. Smith converts (8-19).

Penalty for Scotland

Opportunity for Scotland as Meryl Smith hoofs the ball into touch inside Japan’s 22. The lineout is good from Elis Martin, and she picks the ball off the back and has a go herself.

Another substitution for Scotland

Leia Brebner-Holden is coming on for Caity Mattinson with about 20 minutes left to play.

Penalty for Japan

Scotland are penalised for a deliberate knockdown just inside their 22. Ayasa Otsuka points to the posts and cuts the deficit to four points. (8-12)

Substitutes for Japan

Rinka Matsuda comes off for Kotomi Taniguchi, and Jennifer Nduka is on for Seina Saito.

Scotland defence holding firm

After well over a dozen phases, Scotland eventually win the ball back after a grubber put through by Japan’s fly half. It’s kicked away and out into touch for a Japanese throw.

Scotland change it up

Fresh legs are coming on for Scotland, as they ring in the changes:

Elis Martin is on for Skeldon, Anne Young for Leah Bartlett, Lisa Cockburn on for Christine Belisle, Eva Donaldson for Sarah Bonar. Evie Gallagher on for Konkel, Emma Orr is on for Nelson.

High tackle against Scotland

Japan are forcing their way back in with clever incisions into Scotland’s half, culminating in a high tackle from Rachel Malcolm. Japan opt to boot it to touch inside Scotland’s 22, and the rolling maul is held up sufficiently by the Scots, forcing the ref to give the leading side a scrum, and a way out of their 22.

Scotland pressure mounting

Scotland are heaping pressure onto Japan’s defence in the opening five minutes. The ball has barely ventured into Scotland’s half, and the backline in particular are weaving in and out of Japan’s defensive line nearly at will.

Second half starts!

We’re back underway here at Athlone Stadium and it’s not gotten any cooler whatsoever.

Half Time

That is the final action of the first half. A half which has seen Scotland exert some pressure in periods, but Japan fought their way back in capably, and caused the visitors some real trouble.

If Scotland can continue the way they finished off the first half, they will be in good stead to get a result out of this important match.

Half time: Japan 5 – Scotland 12

Try for Scotland!

On the stroke of half time, Scotland strike again! Quick hands down the left from Nelson finds Lana Skeldon, who shifts it on to Meryl Smith, bringing it into contact and offloading to McGhie, who takes contact and finds Alex Stewart, who crosses over as the half time hooter sounds. It’s Alex Stewart’s first ever try in a Scotland shirt. Nelson can’t convert from a tight angle. (5-12)

Relief for Scotland

Japan continue to push for gaps, but Scotland’s defensive line are holding strong. A great push from at the breakdown from Jade Konkel sees Tsukui drop the ball forward and give Scotland a much-needed scrum just in their own half.

Japan almost nab another

A clever chip over the top from a ruck on halfway sees Chloe Rollie try to deal with it with her own boot, however it fell kindly to Japan’s chasing pack, who boot it forward towards Scotland’s line. But, Rollie does well in cover and slides in first to give Japan a 5m scrum rather than concede a sure try.

Japan score

A tricky 10 for Scotland as Japan continue to press and test the defense.

They’ve got Scotland pinned on their try line and Iroha Nagata has crossed the whitewash. The conversion is unsuccessful, we still have the lead but it’s close.

DEFENCE!!!

Japan are working their way back into the match ever so slowly. After relieving pressure a few times from inside their half, they are having a period of possession and creeping up the field.

A clever chip and chase from Moe Tsukui puts her winger through in Scotland’s half but scrambling defence from Rhona Lloyd not only put her down but also won the penalty! Brilliant defensive effort there!

Time to cool down

Japan applying a huge amount of pressure here, started by Ayasa Otsuka pumping a kick from deep inside her half well into Scotland’s 22 – an outstanding kick. The lineout is won by Japan and it rumbles towards the line, but it’s a maul and it’s held up, so a Scotland scrum it will be!

A short intermission here as we stop for the game’s first water break. It is absolutely scorching out there.

Scotland leading right now, but Japan have fought their way back into the game in the last 10 minutes or so.

Line out lost

Scotland have let Japan out as they penalise in the scrum. But the kick doesn’t go out and Scotland reply with vengeance.

They win their own penalty inside Japan’s 22 and opt for a kick to touch, which Lisa Thomson does successfully. But the lineout is lost forward and Japan are allowed a way out.

50:22!

Nelson picks out a fantastic long kick deep into Japan territory, and lands it beautifully, rolling out for the game’s first 50-20.

The lineout is good, but the play comes to nothing. The referee brings play back for a Japanese infringement earlier in the piece.

TRY TIME!

And the scores have opened!

Nice flat ball from the midfield opened up play as Caity Mattinson flung the ball wide to Helen Nelson, who weighed up her options and popped the ball to Francesca McGhie, who slipped through the Japanese defence, and from about 40m out, ran in to score Scotland’s first try. Nelson converts.

LET’S GO SCOTLAND!!!!!

KICK OFF!

We’re underway at Athlone Stadium, and Sarah Bonar catches and we settle in to the opening minute.