RWC 2015: Scotland prepared for Japan challenge, insists prop WP Nel - 'we will be ready'

Japan stunned South Africa in their opening game

Alasdair Dickinson (L), Greig Laidlaw (C) and WP Nel (R) of Scotland ahead of the Japan versus Scotland Pool B match at Kingsholm Stadium (GETTY IMAGES)

Scotland prop WP Nel insists the Dark Blues are ready for whatever Japan throw at them.

The Brave Blossoms have become the darlings of the World Cup since beating South Africa in Brighton on Saturday.

Eddie Jones' troops left the Springboks stunned with an approach that was as cavalier as it was brave, twice turning down penalty goals in stoppage time to earn a draw as they instead chased after the winning try.

But Edinburgh forward Nel insists Scotland did not need that shock victory to alert them of Japan's threat ahead of their Pool B clash in Gloucester on Wednesday.

And he believes Vern Cotter's team can handle what comes their way.

He said: "We have seen what happened and obviously we are focused. But we have spent the last two and a half months training for this game. We are prepared.

"We know what we want to do out there, so come the match we will be ready for what they bring to the game."

Japan head coach Jones claimed his side are fitter than Scotland, however, and warned Cotter they are ready to run the Dark Blues off their feet.

The former Australia boss turned up the mind-games ahead of their Kingsholm duel and, despite having had just four days' rest, Jones insists his team will have the legs on Scotland.

Jones, who has made six changes to his starting XV, said: "If you look at Scotland's scoring profile they are very heavily a first-half scoring team.

"They get outscored consistently in the second half. We know we are a fit team so if we can stick with them in the first 30 minutes and we are in the game at half-time, we will run them off their feet.

"Are we fitter? Definitely. Definitely."