With the knives out in certain quarters, Japan take on Ireland on Saturday knowing they cannot afford another below-par performance.

The two nations -- who have been pooled together at Rugby World Cup 2019 -- meet in the second game of a two-test series at Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday, the venue for the opening game of the tournament.

It is the third game in as many weeks for the Brave Blossoms at stadiums that are hosting games in two years time. And so far, the rehearsals have not exactly inspired confidence ahead of the real thing.

Poor discipline, a less than average scrum and an inability to put into practice the game plan coach Jamie Joseph wants them to play all came to the fore last week in a 50-22 defeat.

"We created enough opportunities but didn't have enough ticker and hunger to put the Irish under pressure," Joseph said Friday following his side's captain's run at the match venue.

"We need to exert more pressure at set piece and if we keep it fast and execute our skills we can put Ireland under pressure."

Ireland, currently ranked third in the world, are certainly expecting a tough afternoon.

"We know it will be tougher this weekend," said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. "They would have worked hard during the week. We have done the same and I think with a couple of the younger players (that Japan have brought in) we have got to potentially work harder to get the scoring positions we got last week."

Michael Leitch, who leads Japan on the occasion of his 50th test, said the key was getting the mental side of things right.

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"Physically and tactically we were spot on but we didn't tick the mental box," he said of the defeat at Ecopa Stadium.

"That was evident in the first 10 minutes. They got a roll on while we were lazy in the kick chase and missed some tackles."

The stats from last week's game in Shizuoka back that up with Japan having the edge in territory (51 percent to 47), while Ireland just won the possession stakes (50-49).

But with Japan making just 72 percent of their tackles, the Irish made the most of the opportunities that came their way.

"They played smart rugby," said Kotaro Matsushima, who moves from wing to outside center. "Tomorrow we need to be more physical at the breakdown, use our speed and play our style of rugby."

Matsushima's move to the midfield, the selection of Jumpei Ogura at flyhalf and the return of flying wing Akihito Yamada and veteran lock Luke Thompson have not gone unnoticed by Irish captain Rhys Ruddock.

"The changes they have made give a bit of an insight into the way they want to play," Ruddock said after he had led his team's final preparations.

"With Yamada coming in...and keeping Matsushima in the centers shows they want to play with width - the way they finished the game last week."

"Adding Thompson to the second row gives them bags of experience and physicality and he will be a real leader. We are expecting them to be a step above what they were last week."

Ireland will once again look to attack the Japan scrum and maul. Though with wing Keith Earls in the form of his life, the Irish attacking options are not just limited to the pack.

Japan, for their part, will need to work a lot harder off the ball both in attack and defense. And they need to communicate more and work as one when boot goes to ball -- a tactic that has alienated more than a few fans of late.

"We need to win fans back by the type of rugby we play," said Joseph.

"The key for us is to get our attitude right. I think you will see a very different Japan tomorrow."

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