Tokyo (AFP)

On paper, it's the hen of death. The figures sometimes lie and this group A, the only one with three teams in the world top 10, seems to Ireland (1st) and Scotland (7th) rather than the Japanese host country (10th).

The two European leaders will however be wary: Japan loves exploits. He proved it during the World-2015 by offering the scalp of South Africans (34-32) and then defeating France at home (23-23) two years later.

But the Brave Blossoms remain on saw-tooth results. They have certainly recently dominated the United States (34-20), Tonga (41-7) or Italy (34-17) in 2018, but they did not make the weight either against England (35- 15) or in front of New Zealand (69-31). Even less against South Africa (41-7) on Friday, for the revenge of the 'miracle of Brighton'.

The host country, however, dreams of a new feat, he who has never left the pool in eight participations.

"There are great expectations around us, we understand our responsibilities as a host country and we are prepared for that," said coach Jamie Joseph, who arrived on the Japanese bench in 2016.

"The team has set the goal of integrating the top 8 and we are going to give 150% for that, we do not have any illusions, we know how complicated it will be, but that's our goal" , he added.

- Russell, the key for Scotland -

This is the fourth time Japan has played Scotland or Ireland at the World Cup (1991, 1995, 2003, 2015). In 1991, the 'Cherry Blossoms' had even faced the two European champions, with two defeats 47-9 and 32-16 to the key. That year, Scotland's Gavin Hastings had dominated the Irish (24-15) to reach the semifinal, their best result so far.

Twenty-eight years later, the XV Clover seems this time the best armed to take the pole and -finally - pass the quarter-finals. Scotland, led by Gregor Townsend and his unpredictable opener Finn Russell, remains a mystery, able to hang England in Twickenham (38-38) as to sink in France (32-3).

Russell is aware of the issues. "At the World Cup, with only four games in the pool, you have to be at the top of your game to get out of the group, I do not want to look back and say 'if only I did that or that differently' "said the Racing 92 player.

- Boks or Blacks in quarters -

Patiently scaffolded since 2013 by Joe Schmidt, rewarded by an outstanding 2018 year, with a Grand Slam in the six-nation tournament obtained on St. Patrick's Day during a triumph in England, the Irish certainties have faded a little since . Especially at Twickenham where revenge turned to humiliation in August (57-15).

Two weeks later, the XV Clover is better, winner twice Welsh and new N.1 World Rugby. Anecdotal or premonitory? If the Irish take their role of favorite of the hen, it will be then another pair of sleeves: one of the leaders of the hen B, New Zealand and South Africa, will stand on the road of the halves.

Behind this three-man two-quarter game, Samoans are still feared and will try to exploit their undeniable potential to play the spoilsports.

The Russian Bears will rely on their strong first line to clinch their first win, all the more historic because they only had to qualify for the disqualification of Spain, Romania and Belgium. to have lined up non-eligible players during the playoffs.

© 2019 AFP