The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
To Scots hopes of glory Four changes as Dark Blues chase another famous win
WALLABIES LEFT KICKING HEELS AFTER PEFFERMILL PROVES OUT OF BOUNDS
Australia’s preparations for this weekend’s Test match against Scotland at Murrayfield were disrupted when they were not allowed to train at Edinburgh University’s Peffermill sports complex.
The Wallabies, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 30-6 loss to England, were informed they were not allowed to train on the pitch on Tuesday due to the risk of them cutting up the turf with Edinburgh University due to take on Durham University yesterday.
Former captain Stephen Moore described the Peffermill pitch as “probably one of the poorest surfaces I’ve ever seen” following the recent heavy rain.
The Aussies turned down the opportunity to train on the practice pitch beside Murrayfield, fearing it would allow the Scotland camp the chance to watch the private training session. Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to the Scotland side that lost so narrowly to New Zealand.
The Dark Blues face Australia at BT Murrayfield on Saturday after missing out on what would have been a historic first win over the All Blacks, losing 22-17 in a thrilling encounter.
Ryan Wilson returns to the back row in place of Cornell du Preez for the match against the Aussies. Wilson has recovered from a shoulder injury.
Sean Maitland is added to the back
“We will draw on all we’ve learned in the games against Samoa and New Zealand
line after being recently added to the squad. Grant Gilchrist and Simon Berghan also come into the starting XV, with Ben Toolis and Zander Fagerson dropping to the bench and Lee Jones missing out altogether.
Scotland have enjoyed recent success against the Wallabies and beat them in the summer in Townsend’s second match in charge.
The head coach is looking for more of the same on this occasion and he said: “Scotland’s recent history against Australia has been one of closefought matches.
“After a couple of narrow defeats, we finally managed to record a win last June out there in Sydney.
“Our players have been training hard and will draw on all they’ve learned in the games against Samoa and New Zealand to rise to the challenge of this final Autumn Test.”
He added: “This is the third and final game of our autumn series and the players are looking forward to ending it on a high.
“Last weekend’s game was a proper Test match – intense, competitive and full of drama.
“Unfortunately, we just fell short of our goal at Murrayfield, and we were disappointed with the loss, but take confidence going into the game against Australia on Saturday.”