Japan coach Eddie Jones has challenged his team to round off an impressive Rugby World Cup pool campaign in style, even though victory over the United States on Sunday may not be enough to earn a quarter-final place.

If Scotland beat Samoa at St James' Park on Saturday, Japan's hopes of qualifying from Pool B will be over ahead of their final match against the USA at Kingsholm.

However, Jones' men have already secured a place in World Cup folklore by virtue of their astounding triumph over South Africa earlier in the tournament, which represented the biggest shock in international rugby history.

And success against the USA would see Japan surpass the number of wins achieved in the group stage by the losing finalists of the 2011 competition, France.

"As I've said to the players, if we leave here with three wins and we do make the quarter-finals it’s been a fantastic achievement," said Jones.

"If we have three wins and don't make the quarter-finals we might be the only team that’s ever won three games and not make the quarter-finals.

"I think in 2011, France won only two games in the pool and made it to the final so for us to win three games in our pool is a fantastic achievement.

"Winning two games would just be average."

Japan captain Michael Leitch is eager for his side not to be distracted in their preparation for Sunday's game.

"We have to get ourselves right mentally," said Leitch. "We can't worry about Saturday’s result [in the match between Scotland and Samoa]."