The final Pool B match of week three in the 2023 Rugby World Cup will see Scotland take on Tonga at the Allianz Riviera in Nice on Sunday afternoon.
Scotland and Tonga will be in search of their first points of the competition, having begun their 2023 Rugby World Cup journeys with losses, falling to formidable opponents in the form of South Africa and Ireland respectively.
Match preview
Scotland received a harsh introduction to the 2023 Rugby World Cup as they suffered an 18-3 defeat to South Africa at the Stade de Marseille on September 10 in their opening match.
Despite putting on an excellent defensive display in the first period, when they kept the deficit at just three points, Scotland were hit by two quick tries by the Springboks early in the second half and were never really able to get back in contention.
Gregor Townsend would likely have prepared for the possibility of an opening week loss ahead of the tournament, and while they have slipped in the betting markets to qualify from this group, the head coach will know that a win with a bonus point here will bring them right back in contention.
They have also had a full two weeks to rest and identify where they went wrong against South Africa, and this match will be seen as the perfect opportunity for them to stretch their legs before what is shaping up to be a crucial encounter against Ireland in a couple of weeks.
The Scots have an excellent record against Tonga and will have fond memories of their last meeting in 2021 when they posted a thumping 60-14 win back home at Murrayfield.
Meanwhile, Tonga had to endure a crushing defeat in their opening match of the World Cup, as they were overwhelmed by a formidable Ireland team, resulting in a lopsided score of 59-16.
While Tonga conceded a whopping eight tries and were also outclassed on virtually every level, they did have a few of their own moments, especially late in the first half, which resulted in Vaea Fifita getting over the try line.
However, those who have followed Tonga's journey would likely agree that their performance in that match did not truly represent the calibre of the Tongan team since they had minimal preparation time together as a squad leading up to the World Cup compared to most of the other nations.
Toutai Kefu's side last beat Scotland over a decade ago, but they have been a regular at this tournament and have often given tier-one sides a run for their money, which could be the case here if they can get off to a good start.
Scotland Rugby World Cup form:
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Scotland form (all competitions):
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- W
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Tonga Rugby World Cup form:
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Tonga form (all competitions):
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- W
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Team News
For Sunday's crucial clash against Tonga, Townsend has made four changes to the starting lineup, including the addition of the British and Irish Lions duo Chris Harris and Rory Sutherland.
The other changes to the lineup include Kyle Steyn taking the left-wing position instead of Darcy Graham and Scott Cummings being chosen over Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
Steyn scored four tries against Tonga in that 60-14 demolition back in 2021 and will be looking forward to bagging a few more here, while Duhan van der Merwe will be bombing down the opposite flank.
Kefu has decided to maintain the same starting lineup for the upcoming game, with the addition of Adam Coleman and fly-half Patrick Pellegrini to the substitute bench.
Pellegrini replaces Otumaka Mausia, who sustained a calf injury during training in the lead-up to their defeat against Ireland.
Tonga's team includes four former All Blacks, with Salesi Piutau at full-back, Malakai Fekitoa in the centre, Augustine Pulu at scrum-half, and Fifita in the number-eight position.
Scotland starting lineup: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben White, 8. Jack Dempsey, 7. Rory Darge, 6. Jamie Ritchie (c), 5. Scott Cummings, 4. Richie Gray, 3. Zander Fagerson, 2. George Turner, 1. Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Pierre Schoeman, 18. WP Nel, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. George Horne, 22. Huw Jones, 23. Darcy Graham
Tonga starting lineup: 15. Salesi Piutau, 14. Solomone Kata, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Afusipa Taumoepeau, 10. William Havili, 9. Augustine Pulu, 8. Vaea Fifita, 7. Sione Talitui, 6. Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Halaleva Fifita, 3. Ben Tameifuna (c), 2. Paula Ngauamo, 1. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
Replacements: 16. Sam Moli, 17. Tau Koloamatangi, 18. Sosefo Apikotoa, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Semisi Paea, 21. Sione Vailanu, 22. Sonatane Takulua, 23. Patrick Pellegrini
Head To Head
Scotland and Tonga have met on four previous occasions, and the Scots have won three while the Tongans have won once. They met in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which ended 41-5 in favour of Scotland.
We say: Scotland 38-14 Tonga
It is crunch time for the Scots, who will know that another loss in the competition will likely bring an end to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. However, we do not expect them to lose this one and are backing a win in the region of a 20-point margin.
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