Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of today’s Pool B match between Scotland and Tonga in Nice.
Scotland have not played a World Cup match for a fortnight and now find themselves in the almost perverse position, after Ireland’s tremendous victory against South Africa, of knowing that only 10 points from their two matches against Tonga and Romania will realistically be enough to stand any chance of progressing from Pool B.
And, even if Gregor Townsend’s side manage that, they will still have to defeat a rested Irish outfit in Paris on the final weekend of the pool stages; perhaps, with a try bonus point, owing to their solitary three points in defeat to the Springboks.
Townsend’s defence coach, Steve Tandy, believes there is still reason for optimism within the Scottish camp.
”It was really important to give [the players] a bit of down time, the families came over, they had two or three days to digest and process the South Africa [loss] and get it out of their system,” Tandy said.
”When you come to a World Cup you don’t need to sharpen them. These boys are focused. We have been looking at this tournament for such a long time.
”We don’t want it to be over. The boys are ready to play now, to get out there and put back to back performances together.”
Tonga, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a comprehensive opening defeat to Ireland. The Pacific Islanders will be bolstered by the debut of former Australia lock, Adam Coleman, who played alongside Scotland No 8 Jack Dempsey for the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup.
”[A] very proud day,” Coleman said. “It is like a full-circle moment for me and my family. The reason I started playing rugby was because of the old man (Pau’u Lolohea-Afeaki).
”To wear the same fabric that he has worn means it is going to be pretty special tomorrow.”
Next, team news and confirmed line-ups!
