Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has suggested that his side's bonus point in their victory over Japan could prove crucial when it comes to who makes it out of Pool B.
Vern Cotter's side got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a winning start at Kingsholm Stadium this afternoon, running in five second-half tries on their way to a 45-10 victory over Japan.
The Brave Blossoms had previously blown Pool B wide open with a shock triumph over group favourites South Africa on Saturday, and Laidlaw suggested that his side's five-point haul from their opener could make a difference.
"After Japan's great start, they were brilliant against South Africa and blew the pool wide open, it was very important for us to start," the scrum-half told Sports Mole.
"But we can only control what we can control so we just focused all our energy on this performance today and starting well. The added extra of us getting that bonus point could become very important.
"We can only take one game at a time, and we have the USA next, but we're delighted to get off to a good start."
Man-of-the-match Laidlaw scored 20 points to help send his side top of the group.
