TOKYO, 21 Sep - Greig Laidlaw makes no bones about it - this is his last Rugby World Cup.

He turns 34 the day before Scotland play their final pool match against Japan on Sunday 13 October and, depending on the outcome, it could even be the scrum-half’s last game for his country.

While the man from the Scottish Borders has never speculated on his future beyond the tournament, it would not surprise anyone if he walked away from international rugby.

As he prepares to win his 74th cap against Ireland in Yokohama on Sunday, Laidlaw’s focus is on the now.

"Any time you pull on the jersey, you have to savour it," he said. "I get the same excitement whenever (head coach) Gregor (Townsend) names the team - the nerves, it all comes rushing back.

"It's awesome to be involved again here, but we all want to be involved in a successful team. There is an opportunity in front of us, that is always the way I look at it.

"I have been involved a long time and I think the maturity of some of our players in key positions is massive.

"Guys like Finn (Russell), (Stuart) Hogg, ‘Rambo’ (Stuart McInally), WP (Willem) Nel - I think we are starting to piece together boys with some experience.

“We certainly have the drive in us, but it is all about the performance. Our standards are high, every man is pushing the next one and we are looking to put our best foot forward tomorrow.”

Laidlaw, pictured, has proved a popular figure with Japanese fans, who have serenaded him with chants of "Mr Greig", overshadowing poster boys Hogg and Russell.

"They are playing it down but they are probably pretty gutted," he joked. "I certainly seem to be a bit of a favourite and it is amusing for the boys, but unusual for me."

Confidence is brimming in the camp, but Laidlaw cautions: "Ireland are a smart team - and they are coached extremely smartly under Joe Schmidt. 

"In 2017, when we beat them, no one switched off, but this year (22-13 home defeat in the Six Nations) we switched off on two occasions and conceded 14 points.

"If you do that against Ireland, you are making a difficult job that much more difficult.  It is important we construct an 80-minute performance."

Laidlaw has led his country a record 39 times, but is more than happy to give new captain Stuart McInally the benefit of his experience.

"He has been an excellent leader," he said. "He does his leading on the field, he has the full backing of the team and we respect him.

"It is good to have a fresher voice, someone newer to the role. He is going to do a fantastic job, now and for years to come.

"It is up to the leaders around about him, myself included, to give him the support he needs."

RNS bp/wh/djk/mj/bo