Gregor Townsend has laughed off Japan coach Jamie Joseph's claims Scotland will be looking to "avoid embarrassment" during Sunday's typhoon-threatened clash in Yokohama.
The Brave Blossoms coach was angered by suggestions the World Cup hosts would be pleased to see the climax to Pool A cancelled due to the imminent arrival of Typhoon Hagibis as it would guarantee them a spot in the last eight.
World Rugby chiefs have yet to decide if the match at the International Stadium will go ahead as the 1400km-wide super storm closes in on Yokohama.
Townsend has made a major call with his team selection after deciding to drop his skipper Stuart McInally to the bench, selecting Glasgow's Fraser Brown at hooker instead with Greig Laidlaw now resuming the captaincy.
"We believe for this game and for the way Fraser has been playing, the balance of Fraser starting and Stuart coming off the bench is the right way to go for a number of tactical reasons, and to reward Fraser's really good form over the last three games," he said.
"Stuart is not in his best form. He was much better against Samoa compared to the Ireland game. Fraser has been excellent since coming back from injury. We have seen Stuart improving in training and believe he can have a big impact in the second half."
