Gregor Townsend makes four changes as Rory Sutherland and Chris Harris are restored to the Scotland XV for Sunday’s World Cup pool B match against Tonga
British and Irish Lions duo Rory Sutherland and Chris Harris have returned to the Scotland XV for Sunday’s Pool B World Cup match against Tonga.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has made a total of four changes to his starting line-up for the must-win encounter in Nice, with Scott Cummings and Kyle Steyn also added.
Prop Sutherland will make only his second start for the national team in 19 months after falling down the pecking order since joining the Lions two years ago. The 31-year-old takes the place of Pierre Schoeman, who drops to the bench.
Similarly, center Harris, who also toured South Africa with the Lions in 2021, will make only his second international start of 2023 after losing his place to Huw Jones at the start of the year.
Jones falls to the couch.
Wing Steyn is back in the team in place of Darcy Graham after declaring he was “absolutely gutted” not to be in the 23 for the match against South Africa.
The other change to the starting line-up sees lock Scott Cummings replace Grant Gilchrist, who has been left out of the matchday squad.
Scrumhalf George Horne and hooker Ewan Ashman are both on the bench after missing the 18-3 defeat to the Springboks with concussion.
Chris Harris (left) and Rory Sutherland have been named in the Scotland starting line-up for Tonga on Sunday
Head coach Gregor Townsend has made a total of four changes to his starting line-up from the side that lost to the Springboks