Scotland and World Rugby at loggerheads over lack of World Cup contingency plan |

A row is brewing between Scotland and World Rugby after Sundays crucial World Cup game was thrown by Super Typhoon Hagibis into doubt with Japan.

Scottish Rugby says itfully expects contingency plans to be set in place to get Scotlands win-or-bust battle with the Brave Blossoms in Yokohama.
However, World Rugby states itwill not treat the game any differently to the other matches affected by the super typhoon and will not entertain playing with the fixture at a subsequent date.
Gregor Townsend has predicted World Cup chiefs to do whatever they can to make sure the match goes forward – even if it means playing with the showdown.
Scotland should beat Japan to progress to the quarter-finals but the match would be seen by cancelling the match and spell out the end of the Scots effort without them kicking against another ball.
This type of shock move is certain to ignite a backlash in the Scotland loyal as World Rugby had insisted it had contingency measures in place for typhoon season.
In the event the match has been called off resources have voiced concern over the sporting ethics of the competition.
But having also called off New Zealands struggle with Italy – efficiently knocking out the Azzurri of this competition – it seems World Rugby isnt prepared to budge on its own rules that state pool games cannot be rescheduled to a later date.
Asked if Scotlands match can be pushed back 24 hoursWorld Rugby championship manager Alan Gilpin explained:Weve looked at the potential to employ some constant contingency strategy across all the games that could be changed this weekend, but its important we tackle those games fairly and consistently.
I think its important to remember Italy are at precisely the identical position as Scotland have been in.
The Japan-Scotland sport is clearly is a enormous match, wed love to be playing that game, and were going to be working unbelievably hard with our colleagues from Japan Rugby 2019, both the host towns and all the police on Sunday morning to find that game played.
But we will not treat this match, if it can not be performed, any differently to the other matches.
Scotland head coach Townsend thinks there are means to make sure the match hopes that World Cup organisers are currently doing everything and goes ahead.
We must have faith in the organisers that the game is going to be played even if its behind closed doors or at a different place, said Townsend.
There are tons of unique venues which may not be impacted by this weather. There are training venues. We trained in NTT [Shining Arcs RFC]. Japan trained in Prince Chichibu, which has previously hosted global games.
What exactly do we want? We need officials, we want players. The way I read the rules has been that you cant alter days but you can change contingencies and venues are set up.
I have been told there is force majeure (steps in the rules) and items might change because of exceptional circumstances.
If this means Monday since it takes a day for items to be put back in order, then who knows. But right now I think that theyre planning on it moving ahead on Sunday.
Asked if it could be a bitter blow to view Scotland dumped out on the rear of a cancelled fixture, Townsend stated:It will make things quite unusual for a World Cup in any sport to be decided by a match being called off one day.
Lets say youre looking out of your hotel window 5pm on Sunday afternoon and its bright. It will be peculiar if a game couldnt take place that afternoon or the following day.