Football World Cup 2023 Meets Preview: Scotland v Tonga

Fortnight when they have been outmuscled and you may outpaced because of the shielding winners Southern area Africa in Marseille, Scotland would like to kickstart their Rugby Globe Cup problem up against Tonga, in Sweet – a couple of hours then east collectively France’s Mediterranean shore.

Direct coach Gregor Townsend made five alter in order to his creating side. Prop Rory Sutherland – towards their Rugby World Cup first at the period of 31 – and 2nd-row Scott Cummings come into the fresh new prepare getting Pierre Schoeman and you may Offer Gilchrist respectively, when you are center Chris Harris and you will side Kyle Steyn, particularly Sutherland and make 1st event looks, begin in brand new backline, that have Huw Jones and you can Darcy Graham losing on the bench. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner and you may George Horne are available towards the meets-time 23.

Might want an enormous conquer an effective Tonga top that destroyed 59-sixteen facing a widespread Ireland in the Nantes almost seven days later – the new fits in which Johnny Sexton became a leading facts scorer inside the Irish internationally football records.

Mentor Toutai Kefu features stuck with the exact same performing XV for it suits, having four former Most of the Blacks completely-right back Salesi Piutau, heart Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Augustine Pulu and you may amount 7 Vaea Fifita. However, he has made two transform for the bench: introducing Tap Pellegrini, and ex lover-Australia global Adam Coleman, just who will make their Tongan introduction.

Installation History

This can be just the sixth day these two edges features played each other. Scotland provides claimed four of one’s five suits up until now.

Memorable Fits

Despite around three users sin-binned if the several sides fulfilled in the Pittodrie, Tonga recorded its very first, also to day only, conquer Scotland for the , by way of seeks regarding Lua Lokotui and Fetu’u Vainikolo, also eleven circumstances on the footwear from Fangatapu Apikotoa. Scotland mustered five Greig Laidlaw punishment within the respond – while the matches ended 21-15.

Key Talking Area

Tonga’s people and you can personnel could be the first to help you know one they don’t provide an excellent account from on their own in their starting match facing Ireland from inside the Nantes. And they’re going to end up being determined to wear a better performance right here – even so they deal with an excellent Scotland front that really needs a win so you can keep in touch that have Pond B’s most useful several, the fresh new Irish in addition to Springboks. This can be a must-victory to own Gregor Townsend’s https://kissbrides.com/web-stories/top-10-hot-ecuadorian-women/ front – nevertheless they should expect harsh resistance.

Pro Lead-TO-Head

Rory Sutherland v Ben Tameifuna. Scotland’s shed-head, for the their World Cup first, and simply his second initiate on national side in 19 days, happens one on one having Tonga’s master and one slope from a strict-direct. One to region of the scrum promises to be a fight regal.

STATS-Amazing

Chris Paterson ‘s the merely Scotland pro for drawn region in four Rugby Industry Cups. The very last of his national record 15 tournament appearance, facing The united kingdomt in Auckland last year, was also their final test.

REF View

Karl Dickson (England). Former professional scrum-half of Dickson come understanding getting his refereeing qualification if you are however a great athlete – to make his debut while the a central match certified into the a tournament meets in , 3 days just before he had been for the counter towards English Premiership match between Harlequins and you can Gloucester within Twickenham.

Groups

SCOTLAND Blair Kinghorn; Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben Light; Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Richie Gray, Scott Cummings; Jamie Ritchie (captain), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey

TONGA Salesi Piutau; Solomone Kata, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Afusipa Taumoepeau; William Havili, o, Ben Tameifuna (captain); Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita