Rugby Union: Scotland's sense of pleasure marred by Armstrong's pain
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SCOTLAND fly to Western Samoa today to begin the final stage of their tour to the South Sea Islands. Confidence is high after beating Tonga, the fifth victory for the undefeated Scots, writes Alan Lorimer from Nuku'alofa.
They look almost certain, however, to play their final two matches without Kevin Armstrong. The Jed-Forest flanker is suffering from a disc problem and will almost certainly return home this week. If that is the case then the Scots will be forced to try out a new back-row combination for Wednesday's game against the Western Samoan President's XV. Scotland's back row on Saturday were unable to exert any significant influence and it may be that the selectors will want to have a close look at Murray Wallace as a possible openside flanker for the Test against Western Samoa on Saturday. Ian Smith had his
poorest game of the tour but Dave McIvor maintained his excellent work rate and will surely retain his Test place.
The Scots' real problem was their inability to dominate the line-outs. That, and a flat performance by the pack, prevented the kind of control they had achieved in earlier games.
Tonga: Try Lavaka. Scotland: Tries Weir, Logan, penalty try; Conversion Townsend; Penalties Townsend (2).
TONGA: I Tapueluelu; A Uasi, T Tu'ineau, M Lavaka, T Va'enuku; E Vunipola, A Tulikaki; V Moa, F Masila, E Talaki, T Loto'ahea, I Fatani, I Fenukitau, M Manukia (capt), F Fakaongo.
SCOTLAND: C Redpath (Melrose); M Moncrieff (Gala), S Nichol (Selkirk), I Jardine (Stirling County), K Logan (Stirling County); G Townsend (Gala), A Nicol (Dundee High School FP, capt); G Isaac (Gala), J Hay (Hawick), S Ferguson (Peebles), C Gray (Nottingham), R Scott (London Scottish), D McIvor (Edinburgh Academicals), G Weir (Melrose), I Smith (Gloucester).
Referee: L McLachlan (New Zealand).
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