Preview: Scotland v Tonga
22 Sep 2023Scotland take on Tonga in our second Pool B game of the Rugby World Cup 2023 at Stade de Nice (kick off 4.45pm BST) - live on STV and ITV.
NICE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 15: Scott Cummings during a Scotland Rugby training session at the Stade Nicois Rugby Club, on September 15, 2023, in Nice, France. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) What they said
Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “We know they (Tonga) are going to be a massively physical team in the set piece. It’s a difficult game for us, and I’m sure they’ll be better for their first game in the World Cup, just like we will be.
“It was great to see the Scotland fans in Marseille, you hear lots of people talking that there’s going to be more coming to the game in Nice.
“It should be a cracking match. We really appreciate the backing, and the effort the supporters have given to come out and support us will be a big boost to us at the weekend.”
The team
Four changes to the starting team from the game against South Africa in Marseille. Rory Sutherland, Scott Cummings, Chris Harris and Kyle Steyn come in to start, whilst Ewan Ashman and George Horne recover from injury to earn a spot in the replacements.
The stats
- Scotland have won four of the previous five meetings between the two sides, most recently winning 60-14 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in November 2021.
- The only previous Rugby World Cup meeting between the two sides came in 1995. Scotland ran out 41-5 winners in Pretoria, South Africa.
