[ad_1]
| Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille Date: Saturday, 30 September Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
| Protection: Full commentary of each sport throughout BBC Radio 5 Reside, Radio 5 Reside Sports activities Additional and Radio Scotland, plus textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site and app. |
Saturday’s World Cup assembly with Romania is “completely” an opportunity for Scotland’s much-changed group to stake their declare to face Eire, says Gregor Townsend.
The top coach has made 13 alterations following Sunday’s 45-17 win in opposition to Tonga, with solely Kyle Steyn and Chris Harris retained.
Grant Gilchrist will captain the aspect in Lille whereas Hamish Watson makes his first look of the event, together with Luke Crosbie, Ben Healy and Javan Sebastian.
Uncapped hooker Johnny Matthews is among the many replacements, having lately been referred to as up. The 30-year-old, who will deputise for Ewan Ashman, was drafted in after Stuart McInally, a late squad addition himself, picked up an harm.
A bonus-point win would transfer Scotland 4 factors behind group leaders Eire earlier than the 2 nations meet in Paris on 7 October.
“Completely yeah,” mentioned Townsend when requested about gamers pushing to face the Irish. “We obtained so much on what gamers have finished for us up to now and gamers have been coaching properly, we all know the gamers are in actually good bodily form, however one of the best ways to affect choice goes on the market and play properly.
“The issues we’ll be in search of when it comes to enjoying properly is sticking to course of, displaying enormous effort, being actually bodily and serving to the group win. We’re seeking to get higher than we have been in opposition to Tonga. This group has the chance to try this now.
“Hamish is one in every of our senior gamers, he has been a terrific participant for Scotland, he is properly liked by the group, coaches and gamers, simply over a 12 months in the past he was captain for us in Argentina. To be an everyday starter, to be a captain after which to overlook out on the 23 for the primary two video games is clearly powerful on him and irritating.
“This is a chance for him to play within the World Cup but in addition a chance to place stress on the gamers who’ve began the primary two video games and be chosen in opposition to Eire.”
Common captain Jamie Ritchie was not accessible after failing a head harm evaluation throughout that win on Sunday.
Edinburgh lock Gilchrist makes his 67th worldwide look and has led his nation earlier than, most lately on the 2022 summer season tour of Argentina.
“Grant brings lots of our emotion,” defined Townsend. “He was vice-captain within the opening sport [18-3 loss to South Africa] and he’ll be sure that we’re primed and able to go.
“It has been a little bit of a whirlwind for Johnny. The temperature change might be the most important shock. He is an ideal character, actually relaxed, and he is aware of lots of the gamers already. It is an ideal sport for him to come back off the bench and present his strengths. I am certain he’ll get alternatives to hold.”
Romania misplaced 76-0 to South Africa and 82-8 to Eire of their different Pool B outings.
“They’re a really proud rugby nation, very robust bodily and glorious round set-piece,” Townsend mentioned of the opposition.
“I am certain they are going to be stronger for the expertise of two powerful video games in opposition to the world primary and two sides proper now.
“We will not take them evenly, however lots of what we do is about us and the requirements we set.”
Scotland: Smith, Graham, Harris, Redpath, Steyn, Healy, Value, Bhatti, Ashman, Sebastian, Skinner, Gilchrist, Crosbie, Watson, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Matthews, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, Darge, Horne, Kinghorn, Jones.
[ad_2]