Scotland vs Tonga – Rugby World Cup 2023: Townsend makes four ...
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SCOTLAND are staring down the barrel of Rugby World Cup exit - but a win over Tonga with a bonus point could change everything.
The Scots suffered a damming 18-3 defeat to defending champions South Africa in their opening encounter.
While Tonga were on the end of a heavy 59-16 loss to Six Nations champions Ireland.
Kick off time: 4.45pm BST TV channel: ITV1 FREE live stream: ITVX Scotland line-up: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie (capt.), Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Rory Sutherland Tonga line-up: Salesi Piutau; Solomone Kata, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Afusipa Taumoepeau; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (capt.); Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea FifitaPADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER - Get £50 in free bet builder bets
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If Scotland or Tonga hold any feint hopes of making the quarter finals, a bonus point victory is key today.
Having both lost their opening matches, with Ireland and South Africa having played three games, they need to get points on the board.
For either side to progress, they would also need to beat one of these powerhouses in addition.
16. Sam Moli, 17. Tau Koloamatangi, 18. Sosefo Apikotoa, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Semisi Paea, 21. Sione Vailanu, 22. Sonatane Takulua, 23. Patrick Pellegrini
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
16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Pierre Schoeman, 18. WP Nel, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. George Horne, 22. Huw Jones, 23. Darcy Graham
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
The Allianz Riviera hosts this afternoon’s game between Scotland and Tonga with both teams vying for their first wins of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
If either side have any hope of progressing from the group stage, victory in Nice today is a necessity.
Gregor Townsend has made four changes from the side that lost to South Africa, including the addition of British and Irish Lions duo Chris Harris and Rory Sutherland.
Kyle Steyn comes in on the left wing instead of Darcy Graham while Scott Cummings replaces Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
Steyn scored four tries against Tonga when they met back in 2021 and will be hoping for more of the same this afternoon.
Tonga have kept the same starting lineup that faced Ireland in their first half, while they have added 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.
Their side will include 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.
