Scots can handle the heat

Scotland assistant coach Pat Lam says his side are completely prepared for the expected conditions of intense heat and humidity in Townsville for their opening World Cup match against Japan on Sunday.

The tropical climate creates an unforgiving environment for visitors and, while Japan have had the ’luxury’ of training in an exceptionally hot summer at home, Scotland have had to think long and hard about their preparations.

“Our doc, James Robson, he’s done all the homework there and also Ian McGeechan has had words with the (Aussie Rules team) Brisbane Lions, so there has been a lot of work on that,” said Lam.

“The doc has been taking urine tests to make sure the hydration levels are up.

“There are certain rules as far as water goes and as far as hydration goes whereby the players can go to the side. The medics have got all the water issues sorted and will also be keeping the boys cool.

“Safety is an issue and gladly the medics and IRB have seen to that.

“Japan have got to be there for three matches so they will have an advantage because most of their pool games are there in Townsville.

“But our medics and the management team have looked at it. We’ve got one game there and have prepared accordingly.”

Flanker Jason White admitted the time spent in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh before heading Down Under was a far cry from full training sessions and a Test match in the same conditions.

“In the Botanics we were just sitting on a bike in an exercise to make you sweat as much as possible,” said White.

“Out here it’s obviously more functional with training, but it gave us a grounding in the fact that we are able to control our body temperatures.”

While the weather conditions are a major part of the Scottish team’s preparations, Lam dismissed concerns over the hard ground expected at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

“People think that the grounds are going to be hard and be a disadvantage for the northern hemisphere teams, but all the pitches in the UK are hard and firm.

“Nearly every stadium has a very good surface. Most club grounds in the Premiership have a good surface, Murrayfield has a firm surface, so the boys are used to it. I don’t think it will be a big issue.”