IT is one of the eternal conundrums of rugby: what is the right mix between training and playing? Too much of the former and the players lose the edge that makes them match-sharp; too many matches and the niggles start to hurt more and the edge is blunted. You have to get the balance right.

Some answers may come from this weekend's clash in the Toyota Stadium in Nagoya, where Scotland and Japan will take their radically different approaches to a Test build-up into a clash that could go some way towards sorting out seedings for the next World Cup.

Over the last seven weeks, Japan have played five matches. None of them, admittedly with a full strength side, but all the same they have been keeping their players ticking over at the highest playing level they can manage. Players not involved with the national team have been turning out in Super Rugby matches until a fortnight ago and last weekend they trekked across the Pacific to Vancouver to play – and beat – Canada.

Compare and contrast with Scotland. For the Edinburgh players, the last action they saw was six weeks before Saturday's Test. Glasgow Warriors had their last game two weeks later when they were knocked out of the Guinness PRO12 at the semi-final stage. The Exiles range from those like Greig Laidlaw, the captain, who ended his season at the same time as Edinburgh, to Richie Gray who was playing for Castres last weekend.

It all means that after 12 months of nearly non-stop action starting from the World Cup training camp which began a year ago, they have finally had some rest – and Laidlaw for one reckons it is no bad thing.

"We are in a good place with Scotland," he said. We are coming off the back of a long season so it is good for us not to play too much, but to train well. We have started to train really well in the last couple of sessions.

"In terms of who has the edge, it is hard to say but we feel we are in a good place. We understand it is going be a tough game but we back ourselves and are confident in our skillset.

"Japan are an improving team. They showed that during the World Cup and in their recent form. There are things you can always learn from playing the same team and it was only a year ago we played them.

"We started [that World Cup game] a little slow but played very well at the end and won 45-10. We are very happy to have scored that number of points in a Test and also keep Japan to 10 points. Our defence will be very important again on Saturday night."

Apart from playing at home where the hot, humid conditions look likely to favour them, Japan have another advantage with the core of the side playing for the Sunwolves franchise in Super Rugby with a contingent of overseas stars coming in to strengthen the squad.

They have been hit by injuries, though. They had already lost Michael Leitch, the World Cup captain, and Ayumo Goromaru, their top points scorer, to injury and now Fumiaki Tanaka, their livewire scrum-half, has dislocated his shoulder and is also ruled out.

For Laidlaw, one other advantage of Japan playing so many recent games is that his analysts have had plenty to work with: "We have had a good look at the Sunwolves and the last few games the Japanese have put together," he said. "They like to throw the ball around and they like to play an expansive game.

"That lends itself to the Super Rugby competition so we are expecting that type of play against us. I am sure they will try to keep the ball alive and play a fast game.

"In terms of changes in their team, I am sure they will want to bring in a few of the boys who did not play against Canada. That is a game we will want to have a look at, though they picked up a couple of injuries and a red card.

"We understand it is going to be a tough game in front of the Japanese supporters who are starting to understand the game of rugby and get into it a bit more. Having said that each time, as Scotsmen, we wear the jersey we are a very proud nation and want to win. The players selected and given that privilege will be very keen to win again."