Scotland v Tonga LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as Scots claim crucial win

Scottish attack must spark

The defeat by South Africa was the first time Scotland had failed to score a try for almost three years and their lowest-scoring outing since the first game of the 2019 World Cup.

Townsend’s team have become renowned for their swashbuckling attacking play so it was unusual to see them look so blunt. With softer opposition this weekend, they should get themselves back over the try-line but, with tougher tests ahead and the need to atone for falling flat against the Springboks, there is a sense that the Scots – with Kyle Steyn replacing Darcy Graham on the wing – could do with delivering an exuberant attacking performance.

Return of the two Lions

Of the eight Scotland players who toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2021, only Zander Fagerson, Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe can still be considered regular starters for the national team.

Stuart Hogg retired earlier this summer while Rory Sutherland, Chris Harris, Ali Price and Hamish Watson – although still in the squad – have become less prominent. Prop Sutherland and centre Harris, however, have been given a rare chance to start this weekend and remind everyone of their qualities.

No margin for error

After losing the opener to the Springboks, Scotland will almost certainly have to win all three of their remaining pool fixtures against Tonga, Romania and Ireland if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

Depending on results elsewhere in the section, bonus-point victories are also likely to be required. Scotland are red-hot favourites to get the result they need today, and have generally been very good at dealing with lower-ranked opponents, but there is an extra degree of pressure attached.

Rory Sutherland is hoping his surprise recall to the Scotland starting XV for Sunday’s must-win World Cup showdown with Tonga can help him in his “stressful” search for a new club.

The 31-year-old prop is in the unusual position of being deemed strong enough to start for the fifth highest-ranked team in the world at the global showpiece event but unable, so far, to land himself a contract for the campaign ahead.

After a short-term deal with Ulster last term was not extended, largely due to the impending arrival of South African loosehead Steven Kitshoff at the Belfast club after the World Cup, Sutherland is intent on using his second start for Scotland in 19 months to showcase himself to any potential suitors.

Gregor Townsend admitted Scotland are effectively playing knockout rugby already as he challenged his side to kick-start their World Cup campaign with a much-needed victory over Tonga.

After losing their opening match to world champions South Africa, the Scots know they will almost certainly require three wins from their remaining pool B matches against the Tongans, Romania and Ireland.

Bonus points are also likely to be a factor in deciding which sides progress to the quarter-finals from a section containing three of the world’s five highest-ranked teams.

Two weeks on from their demoralising 18-3 defeat in Marseille, Townsend has called on his team – who touched down in the south of France at the start of September with high hopes – to belatedly signal their arrival at the tournament by turning on the style against Tonga.

Blair Kinghorn is relishing his elevated status as Scotland’s first-choice World Cup full back after spending most of his international career to date trying to emerge from the shadows of greats Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg.

The 26-year-old Edinburgh back has accumulated 47 caps since his debut in 2018, largely due to his versatility in being able to operate at number 15, number 10 and even on the wing.

In trying to establish himself at full back, Kinghorn found Hogg – Scotland’s record try-scorer – blocking his way to a starting place, while his bid to become an international stand-off always seemed unlikely for as long as the talismanic Russell was still at the top of his game.

Hogg’s retirement earlier this summer, however, opened the door for Kinghorn to set about making the 15 jersey his own.

Before we turn our full attention to Scotland’s clash this afternoon, let’s talk about last night...

France vs New Zealand got this Rugby World Cup off to a compelling start amid a febrile atmosphere, Wales vs Fiji provided the controversy and last-gasp drama before the Fijians then delivered the well-deserved upset against Australia. But it’s Ireland’s narrow, 13-8 win over South Africa that will go down as this tournament’s first true example of vintage, pure Test match rugby. And it was spell-binding.

The world No 1 and No 2 sides showed why they are ranked as such and, certainly now that France’s poster boy Antoine Dupont’s fractured cheekbone has become a national point of interest, it’s hard to argue that these two aren’t a cut above everyone else at the tournament.

Full report from Luke Baker in Paris:

Kyle Steyn has warned Scotland they must be ready to match Tonga’s physicality and passion if they are to secure the bonus-point win they require this afternoon.

The Scots go into their second match at the tournament in Nice knowing they have no margin for error remaining after losing their opening game to South Africa.

Gregor Townsend’s side will be hot favourites to get the result they need but wing Steyn insisted it would be a mistake to underestimate the patriotic Tongans, who are ranked 15th in the world and looking to bounce back from a 59-16 defeat by Ireland.

“It will be a physical test, especially at a World Cup,” he said. “Tonga has a really passionate culture, they’re big on family and they really play for each other.

“We know they’re going to be out to represent their country and their families, and that’s going to bring a lot of physicality. It’s about dealing with that and matching it.”

It will be ex-Harlequins star Karl Dickson on the whistle for Scotland vs Tonga today. He has already taken charge of the Wales vs Portugal contest at this World Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Englishman:

Toutai Kefu, meanwhile, retains an unchanged starting 15 despite that heavy defeat to Ireland, with tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna again skippering the side. There is notable news on the bench, though, where former Australia lock Adam Coleman is set for a second international debut in the second row as part of a six forwards to two backs split.

Fly half Patrick Pellegrini, called in to replace the injured Otumaka Mausia in Tonga’s squad, also joins the replacements – the playmaker represents Coventry in England’s Championship and appeared in their Premiership Rugby Cup draw with Harlequins last weekend.

Tonga XV: Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna; Leva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita; Augustine Pulu, William Havili; Afusipa Taumoepeau, Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, Solomone Kata; Charles Piutau.

Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Semisi Paea, Sione Vailanu; Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini