The Rugby World Cup 2023 is kicking off on September 8th, and one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament is the Scotland vs Tonga matchup on September 24th. Scotland is ranked 5th in the world, while Tonga is ranked 15th, but Tonga is always a dangerous opponent, especially in a one-off match.
The match will be held at the Stade de Nice in Nice, France, which has a capacity of 35,169. The referee for the match will be Karl Dickson from the United Kingdom.
- What it is: Rugby World Cup 2023
- Matchup: Scotland vs Tonga
- Time: 24/09/2023 17:45 Local Time, 11:45 AM ET
How to watch Scotland vs Tonga on TV
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on NBC. NBC is the exclusive broadcast partner for the Rugby World Cup in the United States. To watch the match on NBC, you will need a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service such as FuboTV, SlingTV, Peacock, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on ITV and S4C. ITV is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom. To watch the match on ITV, you will need a TV aerial or a Freeview subscription. S4C is a Welsh-language TV channel that will also be broadcasting the match live. To watch the match on S4C, you will need a TV aerial or a Freeview subscription in Wales.
In Australia, the match will be broadcast live on Stan Sport. Stan Sport is a subscription-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. To watch the match on Stan Sport, you will need a subscription.
In South Africa, the match will be broadcast live on SUPERSPORT and SABC Sport. SUPERSPORT is a subscription-based satellite TV provider that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. SABC Sport is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Rugby World Cup in South Africa. To watch the match on SABC Sport, you will need a TV aerial or a Freeview subscription.
In Ireland, the match will be broadcast live on RTE and VIRGIN. RTE is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. To watch the match on RTE, you will need a TV aerial or a Freeview subscription. VIRGIN is a cable and broadband provider that also offers live TV streaming services. To watch the match on VIRGIN, you will need a subscription.
In Tonga, the match will be broadcast live on DIGICEL TV and Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC). DIGICEL TV is a subscription-based satellite TV provider that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. Tonga Broadcasting Commission is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Rugby World Cup in Tonga. To watch the match on Tonga Broadcasting Commission, you will need a TV aerial.
For more TV listings, visit: https://rwcglobally.com/tv-rights/
How to watch Scotland vs Tonga online
In the United States, the match will be streamed live on Peacock. Peacock is a subscription-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. To watch the match on Peacock, you will need a subscription.
In the United Kingdom, the match will be streamed live on ITVX. ITVX is a free-to-watch streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. To watch the match on ITVX, you will need to create an account.
In Japan, the match will be streamed live on DAZAN. DAZAN is a subscription-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of sports, including rugby. To watch the match on DAZAN, you will need a subscription.
Selected matches will also be streamed live on RUGBYPASS TV. RUGBYPASS TV is a subscription-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a variety of rugby matches, including Rugby World Cup matches. To watch the match on RUGBYPASS TV, you will need a subscription.
For more TV streaming service listings, visit: https://rwcglobally.com/
Scotland vs Tonga Match Preview
After a challenging encounter against defending champions South Africa in Marseille, Scotland is eager to rejuvenate their Rugby World Cup campaign as they face Tonga in Nice, a few hours further east along the Mediterranean coastline of France.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has implemented four changes to his starting lineup. Prop Rory Sutherland, making his Rugby World Cup debut at the age of 31, and second-row Scott Cummings are introduced to the pack, replacing Pierre Schoeman and Grant Gilchrist, respectively. In the backline, center Chris Harris and wing Kyle Steyn, both making their tournament debut, secure starting positions, with Huw Jones and Darcy Graham taking places on the bench. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner, and George Horne also make appearances on the match-day roster.
Scotland is aiming for a convincing victory over Tonga, who suffered a 59-16 loss against an unstoppable Ireland in Nantes just a week earlier—a match in which Johnny Sexton became the leading points scorer in Irish international rugby history.
Coach Toutai Kefu maintains the same starting XV for this match, which includes four former All Blacks: full-back Salesi Piutau, center Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Augustine Pulu, and number eight Vaea Fifita. However, there are two changes on the bench, with Pat Pellegrini and ex-Australia international Adam Coleman potentially making his Tongan debut.
The fixture between Scotland and Tonga will take place at Stade de Nice, accommodating 35,983 fans, with kick-off scheduled for 17:45 local time (GMT+2). Remarkably, this marks only the sixth meeting between these two sides, with Scotland winning four of the previous five encounters.
A memorable match in their history was when Tonga recorded their first and, to date, only victory over Scotland in November 2012. Despite having three players sin-binned, Tonga secured the win thanks to tries from Lua Lokotui and Fetu’u Vainikolo, as well as 11 points from the boot of Fangatapu Apikotoa. Scotland’s reply consisted of five Greig Laidlaw penalties, resulting in a final score of 21-15.
A key talking point is Tonga’s determination to redeem themselves following their underwhelming performance in their opening match against Ireland in Nantes. They face a Scotland side that needs a victory to stay competitive with the top two teams in Pool B, Ireland and South Africa. This match is a must-win for Gregor Townsend’s squad, and they anticipate a formidable challenge from their Tongan counterparts.
In a captivating player head-to-head matchup, loose-head prop Rory Sutherland, making his World Cup debut, goes head-to-head with Tonga’s captain and formidable tight-head Ben Tameifuna. This aspect of the scrum promises to be a battle of giants.
An interesting statistic to note is that Chris Paterson is the only Scotland player to have participated in four Rugby World Cups. His last appearance, in his record 15th tournament match, was against England in Auckland in 2011, which also marked his final test in international rugby.
TEAMS
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 (captain), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham
TONGA Salesi Piutau; Solomone Kata, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Afusipa Taumoepeau; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (captain); Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita
Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Semisi Paea, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini
