Japan showcased a free-flowing passing style of rugby against the hard-hitting Georgians
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Matches: Georgia 10 - 13 Japan

Japan ended their Rugby World Cup warm-up campaign on a high with a 13-10 victory against Georgia in Gloucester on Saturday.

The clash marked the return of international Test rugby to Kingsholm Stadium for the first time since 1991, with Eddie Jones' side getting the better of their Tier Two rivals courtesy of a late try from Amanaki Lelei Mafu.

Japan's leading point scorer Ayumu Goromaru landed an early penalty with the aid of the post, but failed with another attempt three minutes later.

Georgia, who open their World Cup campaign against Pool C opponents Tonga at the same venue, took the lead on 17 minutes when Muraz Giorgadze latched on to a neat kick and grounded well under pressure. Murab Kvirikashvili had no trouble adding the extras.

However, Japan's free-flowing style soon had the Georgian defence under pressure. Goromaru added another three points in front of the posts to reduce the deficit to one point, shortly before Georgia flanker Victor Koelishvili was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Neither side, though, could add anything extra before the break.

Japan number eight Roy Holani left the field groggily after landing a huge hit on the returning Koelishvili seven minutes after the restart. Georgia looked to turn the screw and Kvirikashvili was unfortunate not to ground following a brilliant disguised offload from Muraz Giorgadze.

With 18 minutes remaining, replacement Kotaro Matsushima thought he crossed the whitewash for Japan after chasing his own kick, butreferee John Lacey was quick to disallow it.

A long-range penalty from Lasha Malaguradze looked to have secured victory for Georgia, only for Lelei Mafi to finally break through the Lelos' defence in the dying minutes. Male Sau converted to add gloss to the final scoreline and give Japan a third successive warm-up victory - Georgia have lost all three of their matches since landing on English soil.