Scots have bonus-point in their mind
FUKUROI: Scotland head into their penultimate Pool A game at the Rugby World Cup today knowing they need a bonus-point win to ensure they go into their final match against Japan four points behind the hosts.
Coach Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes for the game with Russia at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, as he rests players ahead of Sunday’s clash with Pool A leaders Japan in Yokohama, a game that could be disrupted by an approaching typhoon.
“Russia have gained in confidence, they look a fit team,” Townsend said.
“They have obviously worked on their fitness. They have kept on going the longer the tournament has gone on. They were leading at half-time against Samoa, they were just trailing against Japan and they had 90 percent tackle completion against Ireland. They have a very good scrum and an excellent kicking game.
“They will put everything into this. It’s their last game, their last for four years in a World Cup or longer if they do not qualify. We are expecting as good a performance as they gave against Ireland, maybe even a level up.”
Winger Darcy Graham is the only player retained from the starting XV that beat Samoa 34-0 last week.
Flanker John Barclay leads the team, which includes George Horne and Adam Hastings at halfback and sees fullback Blair Kinghorn, centre Pete Horne, lock Ben Toolis and hooker George Turner all make their first appearances at the tournament.
Townsend said the short turnaround before Sunday’s game against the Brave Blossoms will be a challenge.
“The difficulty comes after Wednesday and the short time we have before Japan. Three days is the shortest you can get between games so what we can do with the players on Thursday depends on what happens on Wednesday.”
“We have a plan in mind for the two days after that game. We have got Japan in the back of our minds, but Russia at the front of our minds.”
“If we don’t get a bonus point then the challenge against Japan is even more difficult. If we don’t win against Russia we are out of the tournament. It’s important we build on the momentum we built against Samoa.”
Russia, ranked 20th in the world, have yet to pick up a point following three defeats, and coach Lyn Jones has made nine changes from the side that started in the 35-0 loss to Ireland last week.
Russia fullback Vasily Artemyev said: “Overall, they are rather similar to the Ireland team. We expect the same serious opposition as against the Irish.”