Scotland to take on Japan in Autumn test

SCOTLAND’S opening 2013 Autumn Test against Japan will be played at Murrayfield Stadium, it was confirmed today.

Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The match, on Saturday 9 November with a 2.30pm kick-off, will be the fourth occasion the countries have met in a cap international.

Scotland have also played Japan five other times when caps were not awarded, most recently in 2010, as a precursor to the summer tour to Argentina when a Scotland XV won 24-5 at Murrayfield.

The November game against Japan is the first in a series which will see Scotland face South Africa on Sunday 17 November (3pm) and Australia on Saturday 23 November (6pm) also at Murrayfield.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, said: “The demand from Scotland supporters to watch the national team has grown this season and, with that in mind, we are keen to enable as many people as possible to be able to watch Scotland next season.

“With five internationals at Murrayfield next season – including our 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship games against England and France – we’ll be announcing details shortly of a Scotland season pass, at a range of prices, which is our way of thanking our loyal supporters.

“We are also committed, when appropriate, to continue to make the Scotland team accessible to people throughout the country.

“This week, as part of the squad’s preparations for this year’s summer tour, the players and coaches are in Perthshire and Morayshire and will open the door to the public to come and watch them practice.”