Two weeks after they was in fact outmuscled and you may outpaced by protecting champions Southern Africa inside Marseille, Scotland need to kickstart its Rugby Business Cup problem up against Tonga, inside the Sweet – two hours further eastern together France’s Mediterranean coastline.
Lead coach Gregor Townsend made four transform so you can his doing front side. Prop Rory Sutherland – towards his Football World Cup first at chronilogical age of 30 – and you may next-line Scott Cummings are located in the newest package to own Pierre Schoeman and Offer Gilchrist correspondingly, if you are hub Chris Harris and you will wing Kyle Steyn, for example Sutherland and work out his first contest appearance, begin in the newest backline, which have Huw Jones and you can Darcy Graham losing on the workbench. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner and you may George Horne come towards the meets-day 23.
They will certainly require an enormous win over a great Tonga front side one to shed 59-16 up against a widespread Ireland within the Nantes nearly seven days later – the new fits where Johnny Sexton became a respected affairs scorer for the Irish in the world rugby history.
Coach Toutai Kefu possess caught with similar creating XV getting this meets, having five former All the Blacks completely-straight back Salesi Piutau, hub Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-1 / 2 of Augustine Pulu and number 7 Vaea Fifita. However, he’s got made one or two alter for the workbench: presenting Tap Pellegrini, and you may ex lover-Australian continent around the globe Adam Coleman hot mongolian girl, which makes their Tongan introduction.
Fixture Records
That is just the 6th time that these a couple edges has actually played each other. Scotland has acquired four of your five fits to date.
Splendid Meets
Even with around three participants sin-binned when the two edges found during the Pittodrie, Tonga submitted their first, and to day simply, make an impression on Scotland inside , due to seeks regarding Lua Lokotui and you can Fetu’u Vainikolo, plus 11 items throughout the boot off Fangatapu Apikotoa. Scotland mustered five Greig Laidlaw penalties into the answer – as well as the fits ended 21-fifteen.
Key Talking Part
Tonga’s members and you can group will be the very first so you can recognize you to definitely they failed to promote a beneficial account from by themselves within their starting match up against Ireland within the Nantes. And they’ll end up being determined to wear a far greater abilities right here – but they deal with a great Scotland front side that needs a victory in order to keep in touch having Pool B’s ideal a couple, new Irish additionally the Springboks. It is a necessity-profit for Gregor Townsend’s side – but they can get tight opposition.
Player Lead-TO-Lead
Rory Sutherland v Ben Tameifuna. Scotland’s reduce-direct, with the their Business Glass first, and just his second begin towards the national top in the 19 days, happens face to face which have Tonga’s captain and you will a guy hill regarding a rigid-lead. You to definitely section of the scrum intends to end up being a battle royal.
STATS-Incredible
Chris Paterson ‘s the only Scotland athlete having taken part into the five Football Globe Cups. The final out-of their national record fifteen tournament looks, against England in Auckland in 2011, has also been their finally shot.
REF View
Karl Dickson (England). Previous elite scrum-1 / 2 of Dickson started discovering to own his refereeing degree when you’re still a good pro – while making their debut as the a main fits specialized during the a title meets for the , three days just before he was to your table on English Premiership meets ranging from Harlequins and you may Gloucester on 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 Grey, 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