Thanks for reading today - hope you enjoyed the coverage - I’ll be back for France v Tonga tomorrow, which should be fun. Bye!

The ITV pundit team are now weighing up the chances of the ‘home’ nations at this tournament.

Sean Fitzpatrick says that as a New Zealander, he is a bit worried about how good England are looking. Meanwhile Gareth Thomas is sounding confident as for the form Wales are showing.

It was bad news for Scotland that Japan managed to snatch that bonus point at the end of the match. The hosts are now looking likely to beat Ireland and Scotland to top spot in Pool A. They are such an impressive team, and would deserve nothing less than a glamour knockout tie against either New Zealand or South Africa in the quarter-finals. Although it’s certainly possible that Scotland will spoil their party. Next weekend is going to be good!

Here’s a match report!

“A very, very physical team.”

Man of the match Lomano Lemeki sums up facing Samoa:

There is a way that three teams in Pool A could end up on 14 points each, but let’s cross that bridge if and when we come to it.

Meanwhile, here’s Samoa coach Steve Jackson, generously (and correctly) admitting that Japan were deserved winners today:

It might have been a bit different had TJ Ioane not been yellow-carded in the first half. But on the plus side, we didn’t witness a match that was badly unbalanced by a red card, as was the case with England v Argentina.

Japan coach Jamie Jones is smiling ... and why not?

Chris Baker emails:

“Hi Luke!
Are Japan now certain of getting out of the pool, or would it still be mathematically possible for them to come third?”

The answer is, Chris, that Japan could absolutely still be knocked out - if Scotland beat Russia with a bonus point, then beat Japan while denying them a losing bonus point, and Ireland also beat Samoa, Japan would be out.

In 2015, Japan in fact were the first team in the history of the tournament to win three pool matches and still fail to make the quarter-finals. But playing as they are, with the home crowd behind them, it’s quite easy to see them beating Scotland and emphatically winning Pool A ...

Labuschagne, the Japan skipper, speaks: “It was hard work out there. It took us a long time ... they [Samoa] are a quality side and they showed it, especially in the first half, it was a see-saw battle ... there are a lot of leaders in this side, first you want to win the game, then you want the bonus point. This crowd is truly amazing, especially the last 10 minutes, in fact the whole way through, they’ve been amazing.”

Did you catch England v Argentina earlier? Here are some player ratings from Gerard Meagher:

ITV’s pundit panel are pouring praise on Japan. Gareth Thomas, talking about that final try, says: “You can see this is a very well-coached team.”

Tables now updated. Japan on 14 points, Ireland 11, Scotland five. Who would have thought this before the tournament? Japan are set to win Pool A and avoid a quarter-final against New Zealand. Although they will have to play South Africa in that instance ... who of course they beat in 2015. That would be some night.

The fans in Toyota have had a great night:

82 min: Hang on! Did Samoa just get pinged for feeding at the scrum? It’s a free-kick and Japan have the scrum now! And it’s reset yet again.

81 min: Time’s up, and this scrum is reset. The difference is 12 points, but Japan want a bonus point, and a losing bonus point would give Samoa a very faint mathematical hope of progress.

79 min: Japan win the line out, and try to shove it over, but Samoa - playing as if for their lives - manage to keep them out and turn the ball over. They have a scrum now, but time is up, the gong has sounded.

78 min: Lomano Lemeki is named man of the match. Now Japan have a line-out five metres out ...

74 min: Japan stream forward down the left, looking to put this match to bed. The wonderful Matsushima makes inroads, showing impressive power.

71 min: Both benches now emptied - all 14 replacements are on the field. Meanwhile Samoa win another penalty for an infringement at that attacking line-out. They still trail by 14 points as we move into the final 10 minutes.

Photos! More photos!

69 min: Taefu and Fidow link up in the left-hand corner and put Japan’s defence under plenty of pressure yet again with a strong burst into space in their opponent’s 22. Samoa win a penalty. Can they somehow drag themselves back into this match? They kick for the corner ...

67 min: Japan rumble forward again, with a brilliant run by the captain Labuschagne deep into Samoan territory, but the support doesn’t arrive in time and Samoa win it back. Another score for Japan here and it’s definitely game over.

Painting the town red (and white):

64 min: A big, big tackle by Matsushima on Fidow out on the wing. That sums up how hard this match has been for both sides - and also sums up how Japan are coming out on top ... Fidow gets up, and can only pat his opponent on the back in appreciation of such a quality hit.

62 min: Japan switch their scrum-halves, with Nagare going off, and Tanaka coming on. Leitch is also taken off, to a huge reception for the crowd. Hendrik Tui comes on to replace him. Meanwhile, the clock is increasingly against Samoa, as they battle to keep the Rugby World Cup hopes alive.

61 min: Pisi, Toleafoa, Niuia and Alo-Emile have all come off the bench for Samoa. Seilala Lam, Alaalatoa, Faasalele and Tuala are off.

59 min: Attacking scrum for Samoa now, in the Japan 22, but Leitch and Himeno manage to combine and turn the ball over, and that brings another huge roar from the crowd. They know how important it was to keep Samoa out - a try then, and the match was in the balance again.

57 min: Fukuoka is on at full-back for Yamanaka. By the way, Nanai-Williams did not come back after that HIA just before half-time. Kieron Fonotia replaced him.

53 min: Horie, Nakajima and Valu have all come on for Japan, so they have freshened up their entire front row.

50 min: Yet another penalty for Japan as Ioane is penalised for flying off his feet at a ruck, in Samoa’s half. This is an easier attempt for Tamura than the last one.

47 min: Now Japan win a penalty, for obstruction by Samoa in a rolling maul. But Tamura misses a tricky kick, sending it right. That could have settled a few nerves, but there are still four points in it. Samoa are proving very serious opponents and in truth, are giving Japan a much tougher test than they had against Ireland last week.

43 min: Samoa win a penalty after Japan fail to release in the tackle, about 35 yards out and in a central position. Here is a good chance for Taefu to bring them within four points.

41 min: Japan No 11 Lemeki puts a high kick up, but Samoa win it, and attack down the right through Polataivao. It’s end-to-end stuff early in this second half.

Thanks to Dee Parks for emailing in:

“Here in New Zealand we are unable to get coverage of very few games except when New Zealand is playing. I have just discovered your commentary via The Guardian and it is just fabulous. Thank you so much.”

You’re welcome Dee! They really should sort you out with coverage of all the matches ...

And here are some photos from the match:

A touch of Twitter banter from Rugby World Cup from the Australia - Uruguay match:

England booked their place in the last eight with victory against 14-man Argentina earlier today. Here’s Robert Kitson’s report:

40 min: Nanai-Williams is called off for a head injury assessment, also known as an HIA. Presumably it was that hit by Moore which led to a penalty a few minutes ago. Nanai-Williams looks confused at having to go off, in truth, but someone clearly suspects he may be suffering from concussion.

39 min: Back on the pitch after his yellow card, Ioane is on the crash ball in midfield, as Samoa look to get on the scoreboard again before half-time. But then there is a knock-on in the middle of a promising attack. As the seconds tick by towards half-time, Japan have a scrum in the middle of the pitch, just inside their own half.

37 min: Photos from Rugby World Cup’s Twitter, including the Samoan haka:

35 min: Ioane is back on, so it’s a 15-a-side again. Samoa aren’t out of this match, they are competing well, and they promptly win the put-in at a scrum in their own half.

32 min: Samoa win a penalty now, but Taefu misses from long range. Then Nanai-Williams goes down injured for Samoa, and there’s a break in play while the TMO takes a look at the challenge by Moore that felled the full-back. It results in yet another penalty - Moore was trying to charge down a kick by the No 15, and took him out late. Samoa can get back to within seven points, with a very kickable penalty.

31 min: Less than 10 minutes until half-time and Japan are playing some very good stuff. Samoa are still down to 14, and Ioane can only watch from the sidelines as his team slip further behind.

24 min: Late hit by the Samoa No 7 TJ Ioane on winger Matsushima. He is in trouble. TMO having a look.

20 min: A good Japanese line-out, and Lemeki makes a very strong carry towards the Samoan try-line, dragging a couple of tacklers with him in impressive fashion. But then there’s an interception and Samoa can clear the danger. Then Japan win another penalty and they have an opportunity to edge ahead again.

Here’s one of two good turnovers Samoa captain Lam has carried off so far. With 20 minutes gone, it’s 6-6, and it’s an extremely competitive affair at the moment.

16 min: Matsushima embarks on a brilliant run! He collects a Samoan kick on the right wing, throws a dummy to his left, then roars past a couple of Samoan tacklers and the Japanese fans are roaring again. But then Japan are penalised at the breakdown again, for holding on, and Samoa have a chance to clear after more good competition at that breakdown.

13 min: After scoring their first points, Samoa now have the ball in hand in the Japan half. After a few attacking phases, Taefu tries a drop-goal, but they have a penalty advantage after an infringement by Leitch. Samoa have taken the sting out of a very strong start by Japan.

5 min: Japan turn the ball over around halfway and launch another attack, winger Lemeki finding space on the left and charging down the line, almost all the way to the try line. The crowd are on their feet again! But Samoa scramble their defence well. However, they are under plenty of pressure early on. Japan are aiming to pick up where they left off against Ireland, clearly. They have another penalty.

2 min: Fly-half Yu Tamura puts up a Garryowen from the first line-out of the match, on the halfway line, and Japan build their first attack, winning an early penalty for Samoan defenders going off their feet at a ruck. Bright start from Japan.

Here’s the tackle that led to a red card for Lavanini in the previous match. Samoan (and Japanese) tacklers, take note:

The anthems have been sung. It would be brilliant for this tournament to see Japan and their superb brand of rugby in the quarter-finals, and a win today would be a big step - especially with a bonus point. Now it’s time for Samoa, wearing blue jerseys with red trim and white shorts, to throw down a challenge with the haka.

The Taiko drummers are striking up, and the teams are walking out ahead of kick-off, which is less than five minutes away now.

“Keeping their discipline is key,” Sean Fitzpatrick says of Samoa.

The referee today is Jaco Peyper, from South Africa. His assistants are Angus Gardner (Australia) and Federico Anselmi (Argentina). The TMO is Graham Hughes, from England.

Rugby World Cup’s graphic for this one is a photo-shopped Samoan lining up a tackle. The Samoans do love a tackle, but will need to stay on the right side of Peyper and his team. Let’s hope the cards stay in Peyper’s pocket.

Read Robert Kitson’s England v Argentina match report from Tokyo:

High tackles are hot topic today. Argentina’s Tomás Lavanini was sent off in the first half against England for a shoulder barge into Owen Farrell’s head, and Australia had two men sent to the sin bin for high hits in their win against Uruguay.

What’s your view on how this tournament is being refereed? Speaking on ITV, Lawrence Dallaglio thinks there has been inconsistency in the decision-making. Do get in touch on Twitter or email, as above.

Here’s our one-stop shop for all your Rugby World Cup tables, results and fixtures, now updated following England’s third victory of their campaign against Argentina:

England have just completed their victory against Argentina, 39-10, and are into the last eight. Argentina are going home.

Earlier today, Australia overpowered Uruguay 45-3 in Oita. Here is John Davidson’s report of that one:

Flanker Pieter Labuschagne keeps the captaincy for Japan today. Coach Jamie Joseph explained his thinking as follows: “Minimising [Leitch’s] responsibility so he can focus on his own game is crucial if we’re going to go on in the tournament.”

For Samoa, No 8 Jack Lam has the captain’s armband, tasked with leading his team to a potential victory that would keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive.

Other rugby minute-by-minutes are available: England are currently beating Argentina 25-3 after 70 minutes, and are on course to book their quarter-final spot. Join Barry Glendenning for the last 10 minutes here: