If hosts Japan are to make the ideal start to the Rugby World Cup, they may need to be a little more punctual to the breakdown than they were at their captain's run on Thursday.

A day before they kick off the tournament against Russia at Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium), the Brave Blossoms started their final training run 35 minutes after their scheduled start time.

However, any concerns that nerves may have got to them were soon put aside, with organizers pointing out teams can start and finish the session at any stage during the two hours allotted to them.

Assistant coach Tony Brown, meanwhile, said the team was totally relaxed and ready to go.

"The players played here last year against the All Blacks, so there are no problems about being too nervous playing Russia. It's not an issue," he said.

It was a view repeated by scrumhalf Yutaka Nagare, who admitted that while "the nation expects a lot," the players were more excited than nervous.

"Ever since I have known Japan would be the host nation, I have been looking forward to this. It's a dream match," he said of the tournament opener.

"I want to be confident and I want to enjoy it."

The 27-year-old halfback will be a key figure Friday as he looks to orchestrate Japan's high-paced game plan, which focuses on using available space to stop the Russians slowing down the play and imposing their physicality.

"(Nagare) is an important part of the team (because of) his leadership. At the first game of the World Cup, his calm, controlling influence will be important," Brown said.

(Japan head coach Jamie Joseph)

With Japan's backs all capable of playing a number of positions and roles, the Brave Blossoms will look to run the Russians off their feet.

Nagare downplayed talk of a bonus-point win, despite predictions Pool A could be determined by which team can convert four-point wins to five points by scoring four or more tries.

"We need to make sure we win the game first. A bonus point comes after that," he said.

While Japan dismissed talk of pre-match nerves, the Russians hope the hosts will be feeling the pressure.

"We are not nervous. I think it is (the) Japanese who should feel anxiety as hosts. We are not anxious. We need to go on the pitch and play our best rugby," said wing German Davydov.

However, the task in hand for the Russians is best summed up by the fact that none of the 23 players selected by coach Lyn Jones has ever been in a side that has beaten Japan in a test match.

"Japan are entering the game as favorites," said Jones. "Let me be frank, we have a 20 percent chance in this game -- but that's just on paper. We have made four replacements since the match we played against Japan in Gloucester (in November 2018), and now all of the best Russian players are in the squad."

Four year ago to the day, Japan produced one of the greatest shocks in sports history as they set the 2015 Rugby World Cup alight with a win over two-time champions South Africa.

However, the buildup to that game was in marked contrast to Thursday's training run.

"I remember being scolded during the captain's run" in Brighton, said hooker Shota Horie. "Michael Leitch was also told off and asked 'What kind of captain's run is this?' The atmosphere today was very different."

Horie said the team was well aware the tournament opener and games that follow it are the "ideal stage to show off all that is good about Japanese rugby."

And the key to that, according to Brown, is Yu Tamura. The flyhalf gave a below-performance against South Africa in the Brave Blossoms' final warm-up game, but he remains a favorite of the coaching staff, having played in more test matches than any other player in Joseph's tenure with 20 to his name.

"It's tough to measure Yu's performance against South Africa...they are a quality team," said Brown. "Yu Tamura is a really important part for us. He is one of our leaders and controls the game. When our team plays well, Yu plays well."

A predicted local TV audience of more than 25 million will be hoping that is the case when things finally kick off on Friday.