That’s all from me today. Thanks for reading, and thanks for the emails and tweets.

I am on Wales v Georgia duty tomorrow, so see you then. Bye!

Here is our guide to Rugby World Cup fixtures, tables and results:

Ireland are in action again next Saturday, 28 September, against tournament hosts Japan in Shizuoka.

Japan overcame some early nerves to comfortably see off Russia on Friday. But if Ireland can replicate that sort of display they’ll have too much against the Brave Blossoms.

As previously mentioned Scotland next face Samoa, in Kobe on Monday 30 September.

A round of applause from Ireland, for vanquished Scotland:

Stander made 43 metres with the ball in hand, with one clean line break, and made nine out of nine tackles. As we may have mentioned, the whole forward pack functioned beautifully.

CJ Stander takes the Player of the Match gong. Let me see if I can dig out his stats.

Scotland’s Stuart McInally admits that Ireland won the collisions, but vows to improve ...

Damian O’Brien, thanks for your email:

“Been following Guardian Sport coverage from Ndjamena in Chad this morning! ... Impressed with Ireland’s start to RWC19. All the best.”

It was a belting start for Ireland. Their toughest pool opponents have been seen off in emphatic fashion. They can already start planning for the last eight, barring some bizarre and extremely unlikely turn of events.

Brian Berry emails:

“Having my breakfast beer in a cafe in Logroño in Spain. An Irish pub-free zone. Festivo de San Mateo in full swing. Knocks the socks off any fleadh ceól. Good result for the lads. No swelled heads or topless photos please.”

England will kick off against Tonga in 10 minutes. Lee Calvert has the minute-by-minute right here for you:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/22/england-v-tonga-rugby-world-cup-2019-live

Read the match report, courtesy of Paul Rees, our man in Yokohama:

For those that missed it, Paul O’Connell made an interesting point about the way Ireland play before the match, saying they are ‘a very ruck-based team’, and that they rely on good kicking from Murray and Sexton to get field position.

Which is true ... but then Ireland went out and scored three tries just thanks to awesome forward power. Schmidt likes to play a structured game, for sure, but Ireland are not a one-dimensional team by any stretch of the imagination. That defensive intensity, combined with precision from the back-line, in a potential QF against South Africa will be interesting to watch.

Nice stat from the Rugby World Cup boffins:

“The sixth match at RWC 2019 is the first in which the team that scored the first points of the match go on to win the contest.”

Brian O’Driscoll: “There will be a few injured guys worrying if they are going to get back in.”

Ireland can mix it up in attack, OK?

Ireland skipper Rory Best speaks: “We know how good a team they are, and we are delighted with that win...We are under no illusions, that was a good start for us, but Joe and Faz will show us how much we need to improve.”

Faz being defence coach Andy Farrell.

Sir Ian McGeechan assesses that Scottish effort: “It was a lack of patience. They tried to force things. Ireland were far better, in every key area.”

79 min: Ex-Ireland captain Paul O’Connell, on commentary: “It’s a very, very, very impressive performance.”

78 min: Hogg punches a little hole through the middle with a pacy run. Scotland continue to ask questions, but Ireland appear to have all the answers. It’s been a frustrating night for Scotland and they will also nervously await news about that injury to Hamish Watson.

77 min: Controversial email received!

“Following from a gym in Gündoğan, Turkey.

All very well being number one in the world and seeing off flashy Scotland in the driving rain, but do Ireland have enough of an attacking game to beat the top sides?

“They almost exclusively score from close range after set pieces or penalty punts to the corner.

“The Sexton wrap around and the Stockdale kick and chase seems to be all they have in the backline.”

What do you think ...?

75 min: Answer - no, Scotland can’t. They lose the line-out. But still, they are putting 14-man Ireland under pressure as the clock ticks down.

74 min: Plenty of territory for Scotland in the final few minutes. Ireland are soaking it up. Scotland have a line-out right in the corner. Can they find a consolation try?

72 min: Scotland are coming at Ireland hard again. They are not going away, even if this match is beyond them on the scoreboard.

On the plus side for Scotland, this is a serious work-out ahead of their encounter with Samoa, which comes on Monday 30 September. They will go battle-hardened into the rest of the pool matches and the importance of that is easy to overlook.

71 min: Hai, Eoin Monaghan:

“In Hai Phong, Vietnam, completely on my own in a bar awaiting a wedding (not mine), cheering on the Irish. The staff are very confused.”

It’s a bonus-point win for Ireland following that fourth try by Conway. So it’s a good day’s work for Ireland and their fans can celebrate. It’s too early for a beer in Ireland though, isn’t it? [Insert crying with laughter emoji here.]

64 min: There have been a number of handling errors by Scotland. You will remember that they trained with rugby balls coated in shampoo. But in fairness, the intensity of the Irish defence is the main factor that is upsetting Scotland’s attempts to find a breakthrough. In terms of conditioning, Ireland look very fit and hungry. The coaches will be satisifed that they’ve paced everything right in terms of preparation. That Twickenham hammering by England is a distant memory - and besides Schmidt said he deliberately sent some players into that match with a bit of fatigue.

63 min: Reid, Price, Graham on for Scotland. Dell, Laidlaw, Seymour have gone off.

61 min: Declan Ryan emails:

“Hi Luke

You’re keeping me up to date on a ferry between Sopot and Hel. Thanks. Come on Ireland!”

Sopot, as we all know, is a seaside resort on the north coast of Poland. I went there last year, funnily enough, and had a lovely time. Enjoy the trip Declan.

Out in Yokohama, Ireland are still strangling the life out of any Scottish comeback.

60 min: Carty, McGrath and Beirne have come on for Ireland. Sexton is off, among others. Schmidt knows they have got this one in the bag.

59 min: Ireland are on the march again, with a cute little no-look pass by Chris Farrell, but it comes to nothing and Scotland have a scrum in their own half.

53 min: Replacements update! Dave Kilcoyne and Andrew Porter are on for Ireland, for Healy and Furlong. Simon Berghan and Blade Thomson on for Scotland, for Nel and Barclay.

52 min: Brendan Cuneen has been in touch on email:

“An Irish Canadian watching with your updates in Reggio Calabria.”

Looking good for your boys at the moment, Brendan.

50 min: Ireland have the put-in for a scrum about 10 metres out. It’s reset, then collapses, and the Irish have a free-kick and a chance to clear.

49 min: Really good, hard yards made by Scotland in the Irish 22. But there is a knock-on by John Barclay. Before that, it looked like Ireland were pretty obviously slowing the ball illegally but Barnes let it go. Ireland won’t mind an arm-wrestle, in view of how strong their forwards are looking, but Scotland are taking it to them here.

46 min: Scotland have Ireland under a little bit of pressure again. Murray kicks after a defensive maul for Ireland, and Seymour runs it back. Scotland are asking a few questions here. Hogg puts a nice kick into touch, towards the left-hand corner, and Rory Best will have the throw-in at a line-out.

46 min: Here is that brilliant tackle by Scotland’s Sam Johnson from before half-time:

44 min: It really is raining quite hard in Yokohama now. Chasing the game as they are, it’s not ideal for Scotland, who will want to get the ball moving through the hands if possible.

42 min: We have started as we finished, end-to-end. Scotland lose it while on the attack, Ireland burst down the right and over the try-line with Hogg covering. A push in Hogg’s back by the on-rushing Conway (who then touches the ball down) brings a penalty and relief for Scotland, though.

41 min: Thanks to Ireland fan Alex Henry for his thoughts, which are as follows:

“Impressed with Larmour, Kearney always gives such solidity at 15 that his absence would have been a slight concern, but he’s been excellent and even pilfered a turnover at the breakdown.”

Flexibility = strength.

Here’s a tweet Rugby World Cup made earlier:

Some of you may be considering watching England play Tonga a little later.

Here’s Andy Bull’s interview with Owen Farrell, ahead of the big kick-off for Eddie Jones’s men:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/21/owen-farrell-emotion-control-england-rugby-world-cup-tonga

39 min: Conway with a class step on the right wing, just over halfway, after a very strong Irish scrum. But it’s brought back for a penalty, which could take Ireland’s lead to 19 on the stroke of half-time.

38 min: Watson has gone off due to that knee injury. Sad to see. He’s applauded off by the coaches and players on the Irish bench. His influence will be missed by Scotland for the rest of this match, at least.

38 min: With a break in play it’s time for both teams to take stock. A glance at the scoreboard is a fair reflection of how well Ireland have played, but Scotland have had their moments.

37 min: Hamish Watson, a key player for Scotland at No 7, has gone down with what looks like it could be a serious knee injury. Hopefully he can continue but he’s receiving lengthy treatment. The converted golf buggy has come on to the field, unfortunately, and it looks like his match is over.

Here are some photos. It really is that simple:

36 min: Stockdale, having ended that last Scotland attack, now kicks ahead and collects after sprinting on to his own kick down the left. But Sam Johnson pulls off a brilliant tackle. Then it’s back in Scottish hands after a strong counter-ruck and a long kick finds Larmour in the Irish 22. It’s end-to-end as we approach half-time.

35 min: Scotland spend a little time in the Irish 22. They chuck it right, but Stockdale is out of the defensive line like a flash, and wraps up Hogg in a tackle he simply had to make with Seymour waiting out wide. Impressive defence - but the margins were fine there.

32 min: Scotland have given up three penalties so far, to Ireland’s two. Discipline, as always, is going to be key and Townsend’s men need to stay on the right side of referee Barnes if they are going to be under a lot of territorial pressure.

31 min: Ireland are on the attack again, following a brief Scottish raid which ended with a penalty awarded to Schmidt’s men, for Scotland going off their feet at a ruck.

30 min: Greetings, Andrew Gee, who emails:

“Following your live updates from a small TV-less cottage in the Calamuchita Valley, central Argentina...keep it up and many thanks...”

It’s a pleasure Andrew.

29 min: Let’s not forget that England were thrashing Scotland at the end of the Six Nations in March, and were eventually lucky to come away with a draw. Scotland have the strike runners to get back into this.

23 min: Scotland spill the ball while trying to spin it left, with the Irish try-line beckoning, and it’s hacked forwards by an Irish foot, all the way under the Scottish posts. Hogg tears back to collect the ball, it hits the base of a post, and now Ireland have a scrum five metres out.

Squeaky bum time, says John McEnerney:

20 min: Tommy Seymour makes a burst on the right wing and Scotland win a penalty, despite ferocious defence from the Irish.

19 min: Have Ireland been keeping the rolling maul under their hats pre-tournament?

17 min: TV shows Scotland coach Gregor Townsend looking suitably miserable up in the stands. As we approach the halfway point in the first half, Ireland have a stranglehold on this. But with a little bit of ball in hand, Scotland can make inroads. They need the next score.

14 min: After a bright start for Scotland, Ireland have been in full control of this match for 10 minutes now.

13 min: ‘Casual rugby fan’ Ross McGuinness has been in touch on email.

“Do let me know if someone throws a straight line-out in this Rugby World Cup,” he says.

It’s a fair call. Don’t get me started on feeding at the scrum ...

12 min: Garry Ringrose executes a brilliant tackle on Stuart Hogg in midfield, and Ireland turn the ball over. Then it’s a kick for the corner and they have another good attacking platform. They win a penalty.

10 min: Larmour makes a burst on the left wing for Ireland, but loses his footing. Scotland winger Sean Maitland then boots the ball deep into the Irish half, and Sexton tidies it up very well, gathering a slippery ball, and drilling it into touch on halfway.

5 min: Murray puts a searching little kick into the Scottish 22. Ireland keep possession, and Henderson then barrels his way almost under the posts, but is tackled at the last. Camped on the Scottish line, Jordan Larmour tries to get over ...

3 min: Scotland’s Duncan Taylor with a wild pass off his left shoulder that goes straight into touch, and the Irish fans cheer ... Scotland have had ball in hand early, though, and are clearly ready to run it.

2 min: It’s been raining in Yokohama and the pitch is slippery. Stuart Hogg tries a chip over the defence, but can’t gather. It’s all a bit frenetic. Then Hogg kicks for touch in the corner and it’s an excellent effort. Defensive line-out for Ireland.

1 min: Ireland secure possession from the kick-off and scrum-half Conor Murray box-kicks for touch near halfway.

The teams are out, the band is striking up for the anthems, and we are moments away from kick-off.

England’s Wayne Barnes is the ref today. Assistants are Pascal Gauzere and Alexandre Ruiz, from France. Graham Hughes is the TMO - also from England.

And here is Paul O’Connell: “England have set a bit of a template for how to beat Ireland ... they are a really ruck-focused team ... I do think when we look at yesterday, and the refereeing of the breakdown, Scotland will look to push the limit a bit and slow down Irish ball.”

Ex-Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll speaking on ITV: “We’re sick of being the butt of the joke when it comes to World Cups. I look back on my World Cup memories with very little fondness ... this squad as a huge opportunity. It’s a tough assignment, if they do get to a quarter-final, but they can absolutely do it.”

Good morning, Simon McMahon, and thank you for your email:

“Morning Luke. Scotland in the World Cup brings back nothing but bad memories. I don’t see us beating Ireland, or Japan, so rate our chances of getting out of this group at less than zero per cent. And do we really want to anyway, with New Zealand or South Africa waiting in the quarter finals? The road to 2023 starts here. Anyway, come on Scotland!”

I enjoyed the upbeat finish there, Simon. Plenty of people think Scotland have every chance of causing an upset today. We are less than 10 minutes away from kick-off, so we will soon find out.

If you somehow missed Italy v Namibia, today’s first match in Japan, here’s the match report:

Your correspondent is old enough to remember Ireland’s build-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup under Eddie O’Sullivan. Back then, Ireland defeated Australia and South Africa in Dublin in a rousing Autumn series in 2006. Consequently they were hugely fancied to go far at the tournament in France, but failed to make it out of a very tough pool. Schmidt and his players will be absolutely determined to ensure that win against the All Blacks last November is not as good as it gets.

The loser today is likely to face New Zealand in the last eight, following the All Blacks’ win against South Africa yesterday. So the stakes are certainly high - this is not a match either side think they can afford to lose.

Schmidt, speaking to ITV, asked how the mood is in the camp right now: “It’s a little bit anxious, a little bit quiet ... but they know the opportunity they have. We need to do the simple things really well.”

Schmidt looks nervous, there is no question about that.

Injuries have hit Ireland - they are missing Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw from the back line.

But they have more squad depth now, not to mention a highly meticulous and effective coach in Joe Schmidt. They are favourites, but rightly regard Scotland as highly dangerous opponents.

Here is Paul Rees’ piece about Scotland’s Duncan Taylor:

Humidity in Japan has featured heavily in the thinking of plenty of teams. Scotland, in fact, have been coating balls with shampoo in training to improve their handling skills in sweaty conditions.

Here is Paul Rees previewing today’s match:

Preamble

Hello and welcome. The stage is set in Yokohama for Ireland’s Pool A showdown with Scotland, one of only two ’Six Nations’ ties during the pool stage. Kick-off will be coming up at 08.45 BST / 16.45 Yokohama time.

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland were fancied as the northern hemisphere’s best hope of Rugby World Cup glory after defeating the All Blacks in Dublin last November. Their fortunes have fluctuated since then, to say the least, but two final warm-up wins against Wales suggest they are building momentum nicely and can peak when it counts.

Scotland’s last World Cup campaign ended with a controversial, heart-breaking 35-34 defeat quarter-final by Australia at Twickenham in 2015. With hosts Japan also in Pool A, nothing is guaranteed in regard to qualification for the last eight this time around. But a Scottish victory would be a huge leap towards another quarter-final appearance.

With Scotland’s potent counterattacking threat against Ireland - the world’s No 1-ranked side - we should be in for a cracker.

Don’t forget to send me any thoughts either by email or on Twitter, as above.