Football Community Glass 2023 Match Preview: Scotland v Tonga

14 days once they was in fact outmuscled and you may outpaced of the defending champions South Africa when you look at the Marseille, Scotland may wish to kickstart its Rugby Industry Cup challenge facing Tonga, within the Sweet – two hours next east along France’s Mediterranean coast.

Lead advisor Gregor Townsend has made five changes to help you his carrying out front side. Prop Rory Sutherland – to your his Rugby Community Cup first in the ages of 30 – and second-line Scott Cummings have the brand new prepare for hot eastern european women Pierre Schoeman and you will Offer Gilchrist respectively, while middle Chris Harris and you will wing Kyle Steyn, particularly Sutherland and then make 1st event appearance, begin in the backline, with Huw Jones and you may Darcy Graham losing to the workbench. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner and you can George Horne also come for the suits-day 23.

Might want a massive conquer an effective Tonga front one to shed 59-16 against a rampant Ireland for the Nantes nearly seven days later – the fresh new meets where Johnny Sexton became a leading facts scorer in the Irish international football background.

Coach Toutai Kefu enjoys trapped with similar starting XV to own it match, which have four previous All the Blacks entirely-back Salesi Piutau, heart Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Augustine Pulu and you can amount 7 Vaea Fifita. But he’s made a few alter with the workbench: bringing in Tap Pellegrini, and you can ex-Australia all over the world Adam Coleman, who could make his Tongan debut.

Fixture History

This might be precisely the sixth date that these a few corners features played one another. Scotland enjoys claimed five of your four fits up until now.

Joyous Fits

Despite three participants sin-binned when the a few corners satisfied from the Pittodrie, Tonga filed its first, and go out only, win over Scotland in the , courtesy seeks from Lua Lokotui and Fetu’u Vainikolo, as well as eleven factors about boot from Fangatapu Apikotoa. Scotland mustered five Greig Laidlaw punishment inside the respond – therefore the suits finished 21-15.

Trick Speaking Area

Tonga’s professionals and you can professionals may be the basic so you can admit you to they didn’t bring an excellent membership regarding themselves within their opening fits facing Ireland during the Nantes. And they’ll be calculated to put on a better performance right here – nevertheless they deal with good Scotland front that needs an earn in order to stay in touch that have Pond B’s greatest a couple, brand new Irish and also the Springboks. This will be vital-victory to own Gregor Townsend’s side – however they can expect tight resistance.

Member Lead-TO-Head

Rory Sutherland v Ben Tameifuna. Scotland’s sagging-direct, to the his Business Glass first, and only their 2nd initiate on national top during the 19 weeks, goes face-to-face having Tonga’s chief and you will a guy mountain of a tight-head. One section of the scrum promises to feel a fight regal.

STATS-Amazing

Chris Paterson is the only Scotland member to own pulled part for the five Rugby Globe Glasses. The past away from his national checklist 15 event appearances, against England in the Auckland last year, has also been their last sample.

REF Watch

Karl Dickson (England). Previous elite group scrum-half of Dickson already been understanding getting their refereeing degree while nonetheless a beneficial member – to make their introduction as the a central fits formal inside the a tournament match into the , three days ahead of he had been into table to your English Premiership fits anywhere between Harlequins and you can Gloucester on Twickenham.

Organizations

SCOTLAND Blair Kinghorn; Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; 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