Letter from Fukuoka: Take me out the ball game (and I don't mean rugby)

It is not just sumo that occupies the hearts and minds of Japanese sports fans, as this year’s Rugby World Cup is proving on a rapidly increasing basis.

The Brave Blossoms are continuing their march towards a historic first quarter-final appearance and Saturday’s 38-19 win over Pool A rivals Samoa, a week on from their epic 19-12 victory over Ireland, sent Jamie Joseph’s team top of the group and leaves them needing a victory over Scotland in their final game next Sunday in Yokohama.