Autumn Internationals: Scotland take on Tonga at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park
Last Updated: 22/11/14 12:47pm
Scotland will be looking to build momentum when they take on Tonga at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park on Saturday.
Vern Cotter’s side defeated Argentina 41-31 before giving world champions New Zealand a run for their money last week, eventually going down to a 24-16 defeat - the first time since 1991 they had finished within 10 points of the All Blacks.
Mark Bennett has been ruled out of this clash after injuring a hamstring against the world champions, with Sean Lamont retaining his midfield spot after replacing the Glasgow Warriors centre in that game.
This is one of four injury-enforced changes, with prop Geoff Cross and no 8 Johnnie Beattie coming into the pack for Euan Murray and Adam Ashe, while winger Tim Visser comes in for Sean Maitland.
The game against Tonga represents a chance for Scotland to end their Autumn internationals with a win and avenge a 21-15 defeat at Pittodrie two years ago which precipitated coach Andy Robinson's resignation.
Rugby Park is set to host the first ever full international to be played on a synthetic pitch and Cotter expects a tricky fixture.
Danger game
He said: "We have spoken about the fact this could be the danger game. It was easy for the guys to get themselves up for Argentina because it was the first game of the series, and then the All Blacks.
"But now we have shifted away from Murrayfield, and changed the environment. There is an opportunity to prepare well and execute well in a difficult situation, so mentally we have to be resilient. It will be fascinating to see how we deal with it."
Mana Otai's Tonga side have been on fire in November, beating Georgia in Tbilisi and then dishing out a hammering to the USA last weekend in Gloucester.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Geoff Cross, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Duncan Taylor.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Hemani Paea, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takulua; 1 Tevita Mailau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, , 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Nili Latu (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Sione Lea, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Lisiate Fa'aoso, 20 Hale T Pole, 21 Tomasi Palu, 22 Kurt Morath, 23 Sione Piukala.