Football World Cup 2023 Matches Preview: Scotland v Tonga

Two weeks once they have been outmuscled and you will outpaced by the shielding champions Southern area Africa inside the Marseille, Scotland would want to kickstart their Rugby Industry Glass difficulty against Tonga, during the Nice – couple of hours after that east together France’s Mediterranean coast.

Lead mentor Gregor Townsend made four change to their performing front side. Prop Rory Sutherland – towards the his Football Business Glass debut within period of 29 – and second-line Scott Cummings come into the fresh prepare for Pierre Schoeman and you can Give Gilchrist correspondingly, while you are middle Chris Harris and you can side Kyle Steyn, such Sutherland to make his first competition physical appearance, start in new backline, which have Huw Jones and you may Darcy Graham dropping into counter. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner and you will George Horne are available with the fits-go out 23.

They will need a large conquer a good Tonga side you to definitely shed 59-16 facing a rampant Ireland when you look at the Nantes almost seven days later – the newest meets where Johnny Sexton became the leading facts scorer within the Irish globally rugby record.

Mentor Toutai Kefu have stuck with the same undertaking XV to possess which suits, which have five former All Blacks completely-right back Salesi Piutau, centre Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-1 / 2 of Augustine Pulu and you can amount seven Vaea Fifita. However, they have produced one or two transform into the counter: bringing in Pat Pellegrini, and ex-Australia globally Adam Coleman, just who will make his Tongan introduction.

Fixture History

This really is precisely the sixth go out why these a few edges possess played each other. Scotland provides obtained five of your five matches up until now.

Splendid Matches

Despite three members sin-binned when the two edges came across at the Pittodrie, Tonga recorded its very first, and to go out simply, win over Scotland in , because of aims from Lua Lokotui and Fetu’u Vainikolo, along with eleven situations throughout the footwear from Fangatapu Apikotoa. Scotland mustered five Greig Laidlaw penalties in the respond – and suits ended 21-fifteen.

Trick Speaking Part

Tonga’s people and you may employees could be the very first to help you accept one they failed to offer an excellent account out of by themselves within their opening suits up against Ireland within the Nantes. And they’re going to become calculated to put on a far greater performance right here – hot Latin girl nonetheless they deal with an effective Scotland top that really needs a profit so you can stay in touch having Pond B’s best several, this new Irish and the Springboks. That is necessary-winnings having Gregor Townsend’s front side – nonetheless they should expect harsh resistance.

User Head-TO-Head

Rory Sutherland v Ben Tameifuna. Scotland’s loose-head, toward their Community Cup debut, and simply their next initiate to the national side inside 19 weeks, happens face-to-face that have Tonga’s master and you may a man mountain off a rigorous-direct. One region of the scrum promises to getting a combat regal.

STATS-Unbelievable

Chris Paterson ‘s the only Scotland pro for taken area into the four Rugby World Cups. The very last of his federal list fifteen contest appearance, up against The united kingdomt in the Auckland last year, has also been his last shot.

REF Check out

Karl Dickson (England). Previous professional scrum-half Dickson come understanding having their refereeing certification whenever you are nevertheless a great pro – to make their introduction because the a central matches specialized in a championship match from inside the , three days before he was on the bench towards the English Premiership matches anywhere between Harlequins and you can Gloucester in the 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