Rusty Scots must sharpen up

ASIAN champions Japan struck a blow for the World Cup also-rans when they staggered a rusty-looking Scotland side in a Pool B match in the tropical heat of Townsville yesterday.

But Canada found Wales too hot to handle and England top-scored for the competition so far with an 84-6 thrashing over brave but outgunned Georgia.

With 14 minutes to go the Japanese had closed the gap on the Scots to just four points at 15-11 and were on the prowl for what would have been the biggest upset in World Cup history.