Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to Scotland’s starting line-up for their second Pool B fixture at Rugby World Cup 2023, with Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Rory Sutherland and Scott Cummings all named to face Tonga in Nice on Sunday.
Kyle Steyn will replace Darcy Graham in the starting lineup and will have great memories of playing against Tonga, scoring four tries in November 2021 during a 60-14 victory. While Graham drops to the bench, Duhan van der Merwe will be hoping to add to his impressive record of 20 tries in 32 caps.
In the centre Chris Harris will be wearing the 13 jersey again for the first time since Scotland’s triumph over Italy in the summer. Sione Tuipulotu gets his fifth start at inside centre while his regular partner Huw Jones drops to the bench.
In the forwards, Lion Rory Sutherland comes in at loosehead for Pierre Schoeman while Scott Cummings replaces Grant Gilchrist in the second row. The back row is unchanged from the opener against South Africa while Ewan Ashman comes on to the bench after Dave Cherry fell down the stairs and was sent home.
George Horne is also set to make his first appearance of the World Cup from the bench.
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie (capt), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham