Laidlaw helps Scotland edge Japan in thrilling encounter

Japan 16 - 21 Scotland, Ajinomoto Stadium
Scorecard 

Greig Laidlaw came off the bench to kick four penalties and rescue his side in the second half as Japan went down fighting against Scotland who managed to secure the series 2-0 with 16-21 win in Tokyo on Saturday.

Japan displayed some gutsy rugby at Ajinomoto Stadium after a shoddy performance during the first Test in Toyota on last weekend.

The Brave Blossoms took a dramatic four-point lead at the end of the first half with the help of a converted try scored in the 20th minute by scrum-half Kaito Shigeno along with successful two penalties by fly-half Yu Tamura in the sixth and the 29th minute.

In response, the visitors managed to score just three penalties, all scored by scrum-half Henry Pyrgos, who started in the playing XV instead of Laidlaw.

With the game looking to slip away from his men, coach Vern Cotter brought reinforcements on the very first minute of the second half as Laidlaw, hooker Fraser Brown and prop Willem Nel gave the visitors a little bit more stability.

Although Scotland failed to score any try, Laidlaw (52', 60', 70', 77') managed to slot four crucial penalties as opposed to Tamura who added just one more to his tally in the second half.

Albeit Scotland won the game by five points, the home side played impressive rugby as the visitors put up an incoherent and rudderless performance.