MX23RW : Wednesday, April 24 00:09:13| >> :600:2952637:2952637:
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 22, 2019 at 8.45am UK
 
Ireland
27-3
Scotland
Ryan (7'), Best (15'), Furlong (25'), Conway (56')
FT

Greig Laidlaw unfazed by Typhoon Tapah

Greig Laidlaw unfazed by Typhoon Tapah
© Reuters
A powerful weather system building over the East China Sea is one thing, but Joe Schmidt's side also lie in wait for Scotland on Sunday.

Greig Laidlaw insisted Scotland will handle Typhoon Tapah before declaring the Dark Blues are primed to whip up a World Cup storm of their own.

A powerful weather system building over the East China Sea is due to strike the south west of Japan this weekend.

But its effects may also be felt as far inland as Yokohama, meaning the Scots could find themselves facing lashing rain and gale-force winds as they square off against Ireland on Sunday.

So far the forecasters have been sketchy on whether the worst of the conditions will arrive by the time the showdown at the International Stadium kicks off at 1645 local time (0845BST), but Laidlaw insists his team are braced for whatever comes their way.

He said: "We're in the same boat as everybody in that we're told there is a storm sitting off Japan somewhere but whether it comes in or not, (we're not sure).

Greig Laidlaw is lining up for his last World Cup
Greig Laidlaw is lining up for his last World Cup (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"We've planned that into our game plan and if the weather does come in we can flick to a system that suits that weather.

"That's been a big part of our preparation. We've worked closely with the coaches to make sure we're all happy and can adapt quickly. If the conditions change it's certainly not going to be a surprise to us."

The Scots are 3/1 outsiders to kick off their campaign with a win but Laidlaw says there is a wind of optimism blowing through the camp.

While Ireland are missing key men Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw, Laidlaw is encouraged to see Scotland's match-winners fit and on form.

"There's an opportunity in front of us and that's always the way I look at it," said the Clermont Auvergne scrum-half.

"I've been involved in this team for a long time and the maturity of some of our players in key positions is massive.

"You speak about someone like Kearney in the Irish team being important but in our team to have guys like Finn (Russell), Hoggy (Stuart Hogg), Rambo (Stuart McInally), WP Nel, we're starting to piece together guys with a bit of experience.

"We certainly have the drive in us. A day out from the game it's always difficult (to say too much) because it's all in the performance but we're pushing hard, our standards are high and that's all you can hope for at this stage."

It was Laidlaw who led the team out at the 2015 World Cup but the honour has now passed to McInally.

The former captain is looking to saviour what will be his final tournament – especially after emerging as a poster boy with locals, who have swarmed 'Mr Greig' at every opportunity.

Scotland captain Stuart McInally will be looking to lead by example
Scotland captain Stuart McInally will be looking to lead by example (Ian Rutherford/PA)

However, the 33-year-old believes the armband is now in good hands with McInally.

Laidalw said: "It will be my last World Cup, that's for sure. It's awesome to be involved but I want to be involved in a successful team and that's what we're here to do.

"Rambo's been excellent. He does his leading out on the field and he's got the full backing of the team.

"It's been good just hearing a fresh voice, someone who is young and newer to the role. He's going to do a fantastic job both now and in four years to come.

"It's up to us that the leaders round about him, myself included, make sure he gets the support he needs."

ID:372231: cacheID:372231:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8153:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray in action against England during the Six Nations on February 2, 2019
Read Next:
Peter O'Mahony backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Munar
Borges
10am
Navone
Popyrin
10am
Vukic
Daniel
10am
Bouzas Maneiro
Badosa
10am
Davis
Sherif
10am
Putintseva
Yuan
10am
Stephens
Trevisan
10am
Zhu
Jimenez Kasintseva
11.30am
Altmaier
Landaluce
11.30am
Rinderknech
Shevchenko
11.30am
Safiullin
Seyboth Wild
11.30am
Arango
Anisimova
11.30am
Sorribes Tormo
Pera
11.30am
Zhang
Rogers
12pm
Osaka
Minnen
12pm
Vekic
Siegemund
1pm
Darderi
Monfils
1pm
Karatsev
Marozsan
1pm
Van Assche
Bergs
1pm
Linette
Cocciaretto
1pm
Wang
Tomova
1pm
Wang
Dolehide
1.30pm
Dart
Bucsa
1.30pm
Raducanu
Lourdes Carle
2.30pm
Bronzetti
Gracheva
2.30pm
Frech
Cristian
2.30pm
Hibino
Krueger
3pm
Coric
Hassan
3pm
Kokkinakis
Draper
3pm
Nakashima
Bagnis
3pm
Van De Zandschulp
Eubanks
4pm
Baptiste
Saville
4pm
Bejlek
Blinkova
4pm
Errani
Wozniacki
4pm
Montgomery
Avanesyan
4.30pm
Klein
Llamas Ruiz
4.30pm
Burel
Danilovic
5pm
Moutet
Shang
5.30pm
Diaz Acosta
Shapovalov
6pm
Andreeva
Townsend


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!