Tag: Tigers

Rugby World Cup – Pool B: Scotland’s last chance; Ireland under pressure? Pool C: Fiji to formally dump Wallabies out? Wales already through; Pool A: Italy’s unlikely shot vs Les Bleus; All Blacks well placed; Pool D: England assured of top spot; Argentina, Japan fight it out for QF

We look ahead to a crucial week of Rugby World Cup action, as Scotland and Italy face last chances, while Ireland, hosts France and Fiji may be feeling a bit of pressure…

Pool B: Scotland’s last chance; Ireland under pressure?

Only one place to start with ahead of the final weekend of pool stage fixtures, and that’s the group of death in Pool B, where one of Scotland, Ireland or South Africa will exit the tournament on Saturday.

The trio came into the World Cup all inside the world’s top five in terms of rankings (Ireland No 1, South Africa No 2, Scotland No 5), but a brute of a draw has been handed their way.

With the Springboks having completed their pool fixture schedule last Sunday with a 49-18 win over Tonga in Marseille, they must watch on as Ireland and Scotland face off at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday (8pm kick off BST).

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Watch as Australia and South Africa responded to defeats with wins over Portugal and Tonga

With South Africa having already beaten Scotland 18-3 during the first weekend, Gregor Townsend’s Scots must beat Ireland to stand any hope of reaching the quarter-finals, but owing to the fact Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 two weeks ago, Scotland must beat Ireland and also deny them a losing bonus point.

The odds are on Scotland exiting, therefore, but a win of eight points or more will see Scotland leapfrog Ireland and leave Andy Farrell’s side stranded and out of the World Cup.

There is also one highly unlikely scenario where Ireland and Scotland may both progress at South Africa’s expense, and that is if the Scots beat Ireland by at least 21 points, achieve a try bonus-point in doing so (at least four tries), and Ireland also pick up a try bonus-point of their own in defeat.

Ireland recorded a superb victory over South Africa in their last match

An Ireland victory of any kind will see them top Pool B, and face a likely quarter-final against New Zealand. The runner-up in this pool is likely to face hosts France in the quarters…

Pool C: Fiji need a point to formally dump Wallabies out; Wales already through

After stellar performances in defeat against Wales and victory vs Australia, Fiji looked like a side inhibited by the pressure of expectation last week against Georgia.

Indeed, the Flying Fijians could easily have lost the Test on the day, but did recover in the end to crucially win 17-12 in Bordeaux.

The fact Fiji failed to pick up a bonus-point in victory means there is still work for them to do heading into the final weekend, despite Australia losing twice already to Fiji and Wales.

Fiji eventually picked up a crucial victory over Georgia last weekend, but it was a nervy display

Fiji face Portugal on Sunday in Toulouse (8pm kick off BST), and need a solitary point – either a victory, try bonus point or losing bonus point – to make sure of their quarter-final place and Australia’s first ever pool stage exit from a Rugby World Cup.

Portugal have given Wales and Australia scares already in this World Cup, and so Fiji will hope to put on a show and gain some confidence ahead of a likely quarter-final meeting with England, which would represent a first knock-out appearance since 2007.

Fiji could still overtake Wales and top the pool, if Warren Gatland’s charges – who are already qualified – lose to Georgia on Saturday (2pm kick off BST) in Nantes, and Fiji pick up a bonus-point success.

Pool A: Italy’s unlikely shot vs Les Bleus; All Blacks well-placed

And what of Pool A? Italy were always going to have two chances to progress to the quarter-finals once they won their initial two fixtures against Namibia and Uruguay with bonus points, but the first of those was obliterated in embarrassing fashion last week, as the Azzurri suffered a 96-17 defeat to New Zealand.

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The best of the action from New Zealand’s huge win against Italy at the Rugby World Cup

Italy remain just three points behind France in the Pool A table, however, as Les Bleus failed to beat Uruguay with a bonus point, and the Azzurri face France on Friday in Lyon (8pm kick off BST) knowing victory will dump the hosts and favourites out of their home World Cup.

Les Bleus are likely to be without skipper Antoine Dupont for that clash, and may well be a little nervous heading into the contest, albeit they will still heavily back themselves to pick up the victory required to progress.

The All Blacks face Uruguay on Thursday in Lyon (8pm kick off BST), where victory will guarantee them a quarter-final place.

Pool D: England assured of top spot; Argentina and Japan fight it out for last-eight place

Lastly to Pool D, where England are assured of top spot and progression to the quarters already ahead of their final pool fixture against Samoa on Saturday in Lille (4.45pm kick off BST).

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Highlights of Japan against Samoa at the Rugby World Cup – a result which sent England into the quarter-finals

Argentina and Japan are both locked on nine points, five below England, meaning even an England defeat and bonus-point wins for either will see them finish beneath Steve Borthwick’s men owing to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The final game of the pool sees the Pumas face the Brave Blossoms on Sunday in Nantes (12pm kick off BST) in a winner-takes-all clash for the final quarter-final slot and a likely meeting with Wales.

England are now through to the quarter-finals after Japan beat Samoa; Japan are now in second place in Pool D after the 28-22 victory; Samoa’s Ben Lam was handed a red card in the second half for a dangerous tackle

England qualified for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup after Japan saw off 14-man Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse to keep alive their own hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.

The Brave Blossoms go on to face Argentina in the final round of Pool D matches – and only one of them will join Steve Borthwick’s side, who are confirmed as group winners ahead of their clash with Samoa due to their superior head-to-head record, in the knockout phase.

Japan, who reached the last eight for the first time four years ago as hosts, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Pieter Labuschagne stretched over in the corner and Rikiya Matsuda converted.

A penalty from D’Angelo Leuila got Samoa, without captain Chris Vui through a late change, on the board, but Matsuda’s kick soon restored Japan’s advantage.

Michael Leitch added another try in the corner before Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine was sent to the sin bin after a shoulder barge in the build-up.

Michael Leitch was on the list of try scorers for Japan that helped Japan hold off a fightback from Samoa

Japan hooker Shota Horie was then shown a yellow card for making head-on-head contact as he stood up in a challenge with Seilala Lam, which went to the TMO for a bunker review but was not upgraded.

Samoa – whose final pool match with England is in Lille on October 7 – made the most of their man advantage, Lam touching down following a driving maul to go into the break trailing 17-8.

Samoa soon found themselves a man down when Ben Lam was sent to the sin bin after the TMO spotted a high tackle into the side of Labuschagne’s head.

Japan extended their lead as Kazuki Himeno was driven over in the corner, but the usually reliable Matsuda failed to convert.

Things then got worse for Samoa when Lam’s card was upgraded to a red before Matsuda again found his range to push Japan further in front at 25-8.

Kotaro Matsushima sprinted clear for what Japan thought was a bonus-point try, but it was ruled out for the slightest of knock-ons from Dylan Riley in the build-up.

Rikiya Matsuda converted three of his side’s tries as they took another step closer to progression

Samoa, though, kept themselves in touch as Duncan Paia’aua went over in the corner, which Leuila converted from a tight angle only for fly-half Matsuda to push Japan clear again with another long-range penalty.

The 14 men battled on and pulled the deficit back again when Christian Leali’ifano dived over and then converted his own try, but Japan held out to set up a potential winner-takes-all showdown with Argentina in Nantes.

What’s Next?

Next up for Samoa is a clash with England on October 7 in Lille, with kick-off at 4.45pm BST.

For Japan, a big clash with Argentina awaits on Sunday October 8 in Nantes, with kick-off at 12pm BST.

England are without captain Owen Farrell and forward Tom Curry for Sunday’s World Cup match against Japan as the duo serve suspensions following red cards; England head coach Steve Borthwick joined by predecessor Eddie Jones in questioning decisions made by World Rugby

Steve Borthwick has accused World Rugby of taking an inconsistent approach to disciplinary issues as the England head coach continues to contend with suspensions for his squad members.

Tom Curry was sent off in the third minute of Saturday’s World Cup victory over Argentina for a dangerous tackle and received a two-match ban, yet similar incidents involving South Africa’s Jesse Kriel and Martin Sigren of Chile failed to produce a dismissal, citing or suspension.

It has raised concerns in the England camp, and beyond, over the officiating of illegal challenges involving the head.

Borthwick also highlighted when Owen Farrell was sent off for a dangerous tackle against Wales and then cleared by a disciplinary hearing, World Rugby intervened by appealing against the decision.

“There has been a large amount of commentary from different sources about what appears to be a lack of consistency and transparency in the decision-making process,” Borthwick said.

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Kevin Sinfield says despite three red cards in four games, England do not have a discipline problem and there is too much ‘noise’ around the squad

“Now it’s not my role to comment on that, it’s World Rugby’s. I also note there was a tremendous amount of comment from World Rugby on Owen Farrell for a couple of weeks during our preparation for this tournament.

“It was a situation that went on and on with lots of comment from World Rugby. I note there hasn’t been very many comments from World Rugby – I’m told – in the last week or so. I will leave that to World Rugby.”

The suspended Curry is one of three players to drop out of England’s starting XV for Sunday’s clash with Japan.

Borthwick has opted to start Lewis Ludlam at No 8 ahead of Billy Vunipola, who is available again after serving a four-match suspension.

While Vunipola could only earn a place on the bench, props Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler have been inserted to the starting line-up.

Jones: Use of TMO fraught with danger

Australia head coach Eddie Jones also used his press conference on Friday to question the sport’s international governing body.

“I think our use of the TMO in rugby is fraught with danger; that we’re asking a referee in the grandstand to make decisions on a different angle on the game, through video,” former England boss Jones said.

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Australia head coach Eddie Jones was happy to come away with a victory over Georgia in their World Cup opener, but expects his side to improve as the tournament progresses

“And it’s not making the game a better spectacle, it’s not making it a better game for the players, and I think we’re just lucky because international rugby is so popular. But I think we really need to improve the game and at the end of this World Cup there’ll be an opportunity to do that.”

Jones, whose Australia side are also in action on Sunday, against Fiji, suggested that some of the changes implemented by World Rugby in attempt to make the game safer are actually having the opposite effect.

“World Rugby have tried to make the game safer, but they’ve made it more powerful by having more stoppages in the game,” Jones added. “And there’s risk to that, there are risks when the game becomes more powerful.

“The game’s evolving into these 30-second bouts of absolute power. This World Cup will be decided by who can win those power contests. You need the game to be more continuous. The average ball-in-play is 30 seconds, the average break in the game is 70 seconds, so you encourage a power contest. We need more continuous play.”

Follow England’s Rugby World Cup match against Japan across Sky Sports’ digital platforms from 7.30pm, kick-off 8pm on Sunday.

England defence coach Kevin Sinfield laid into the team after defeat to Fiji in late August, says Freddie Steward, with that blast inspiring Steve Borthwick’s men in victory over Argentina in World Cup opener; England triumph 27-10 despite early red card for Tom Curry

Freddie Steward says England’s heroic victory over Argentina in their World Cup opener was inspired by a verbal “rocket” from defence coach Kevin Sinfield after the recent humbling defeat to Fiji.

Steve Borthwick’s men suffered a first-ever loss to Fiji in late August, going down 30-22 in what was arguably the side’s lowest ebb, but they rebounded a fortnight later to defeat Argentina 27-10 despite playing virtually the whole game with 14 men following Tom Curry’s early red card.

Curry faces a disciplinary hearing in Paris on Tuesday, with the flanker expected to learn the length of his ban for a challenge that led to a clash of heads with Pumas back Juan Cruz Mallia.

Full-back Steward said: “We got a bit of a rocket after that [Fiji] game.

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Tom Curry will attend a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following his red card in England’s opening World Cup match against Argentina.

‘Sinfield a bloke you don’t want to let down’

“There were no complaints about that, it needed to happen. We had a very thorough review, which we needed, and we reaped the benefits against Argentina. It was necessary for that to happen.

“That’s what makes Kev such a good defence coach – he’s so inspiring. He motivates us so much and he’s the sort of bloke you don’t want to let down. That’s testament to him as a bloke. When you go out there, part of it is you do it for him.

“You don’t want to see a guy like that, who puts his heart and soul into us in his work with his defence, feel let down.

“Kev is big on covering each other’s backs. That’s his big thing. He wants a defensive unit that are going to work incredibly hard for each other and, when it goes wrong, cover up for each other.

“Inevitably, you can be as good a defender as you want as a full-back but there are going to be times where it doesn’t go to plan and that is where you get tested. That’s his main ethos.”

Sinfield says England’s win over Argentina was ‘just the start’

Sinfield: Fans would have loved our fight and spirit

Sinfield says England must build on a resolute display ahead of their second World Cup fixture against Japan in Nice on Sunday.

“It is just a start. We saw lots of what we had seen in training against Argentina, which is pleasing, but I still feel there is so much in this team – so much improvement, so much growth,” Sinfield said.

“To get the win, given the noise that has been around us and the way the group have really circled the wagons – metaphorically that is – is really pleasing.

“We saw a fight, a spirit and attitude that the people at home supporting us and in the ground would have loved to have seen, and for us as coaches that is particularly pleasing, (but) we know we need to be better.

“Part of our challenge as coaches and part of the challenge of the playing group is to ensure this is not an anomaly, it is the start.”

Alex Mitchell and Jonny May were not included in England’s original World Cup squad; Tom Curry has recovered from an ankle injury and will play for the first time since May; Dan Cole starts in his fourth World Cup

Alex Mitchell and Jonny May will start for England in their World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday.

The pair were not in Steve Borthwick’s initial World Cup squad but were called up after injuries and will now take to the field in The Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Elsewhere, Tom Curry starts for the first time since May having recovered from an ankle injury and Dan Cole starts in his fourth World Cup.

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Courtney Lawes (c), 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence.

Argentina pick six forwards on the bench against England

Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia returns at fullback to face England as coach Michael Cheika opted for six forwards on the bench.

Mallia is part of a back three with goal-kicker Emiliano Boffelli and Mateo Carreras on the wings and a powerful midfield of Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti. Santiago Carreras is at flyhalf and Gonzalo Bertranou gets the nod at number nine.

The team is captained by hooker Julian Montoya, who packs down with props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela, while the second row is made up of Matias Alemanno and Tomas Lavanini. Former captain Pablo Matera is on the flank along with Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martin Gonzalez is at number eight, as Cheika took the unusual step, for him at least, of naming a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on his bench.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo

Replacements: 16 Augustin Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Pedro Rubiolo, 21 Rodrigo Bruni, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Matias Moroni.

More to follow…

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England wing Anthony Watson has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to a calf problem.

Watson picked up the injury in last week’s warm-up defeat to Ireland and has now been withdrawn from the 33-player squad.

The 29-year-old is the second England player to be forced out of the tournament in recent weeks, with scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet absent due to an ankle issue.

England will be without captain and fly-half Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola for the start of the competition after both were handed suspensions for high tackles.

Farrell will sit out the games against Argentina and Japan, while Vunipola will miss the Argentina fixture.

Keith Earls is set to become Ireland’s ninth centurion when they face England in a Rugby World Cup warm-up; he will join Ireland greats such as Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and Johnny Sexton in reaching three figures

Keith Earls admits it will be a mixture of relief and pride to reach 100 Ireland caps after fearing injury issues may cause him to fall short of the milestone.

Munster wing Earls is poised to become only the ninth Irishman to achieve a century of Test outings ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match with England in Dublin.

The 35-year-old went more than a year without an international appearance amid fitness problems before being recalled by head coach Andy Farrell for the 33-17 win over Italy on August 5.

“I’m trying not to think about it but talking to Andy about if it does happen, he’s telling me: ‘it’s not just another cap, you can’t have a normal week because it’s not a normal week’,” said Earls.

“It would be a massive honour but also just a bit of relief because I was stuck on 98.

“I suppose in the last couple of years I was genuinely thinking every time I stepped on to the field it could be the last time.

“I’d be extremely proud and privileged to join a unique group.”

Earls made his international return against Italy earlier this month

Earls is set to move alongside Ireland greats Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes in reaching three figures, in addition to current team-mates Cian Healy, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray.

He featured in two of his country’s three Tests during last summer’s victorious tour of New Zealand but was then sidelined for autumn victories over South Africa, Fiji and Australia and this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam success.

Earls believes he has enjoyed the best pre-season of his career as he attempts to secure a spot at his fourth World Cup.

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England fly-half George Ford said he and his team-mates are delighted captain Owen Farrell avoided a lengthy ban

Asked if there were times during the past 12 months when he thought his Ireland days may be over, he replied: “Yeah, especially with the talent coming through and the way some of the lads are playing and my injury history last year.

“But I just kept the head down and I’m grateful. I’ve a great relationship with Andy and great trust with Andy and we’ll always be honest with each other.

“I genuinely have probably had my best pre-season this year as a professional rugby player.

“We’ve got everything spot on between all the training, physios, coaches, so it’s been really enjoyable.

“I suppose there’s that bit of pressure as well because you want to repay them [the coaches] as well but Andy’s just big on allowing us to be ourselves and not blowing things up too much or trying anything special.

“It’s just be yourself and if you’re special, you’re special, but it gives you great confidence, especially as an old winger.”

England captain Owen Farrell has had his red card against Wales overturned and is free to play in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday

England captain Owen Farrell has had his red card against Wales overturned and is free to play in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday.

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Gareth Davies and George North both scored tries, while Leigh Halfpenny kicked two goals and two penalties; Marcus Smith kicked England’s points; England head coach Steve Borthwick names his squad for the World Cup on Monday, with the sides clashing again at Twickenham next Saturday

Second-half tries from Gareth Davies and George North saw Wales kick off their Rugby World Cup preparations with a 20-9 victory over an out-of-sorts England at the Principality Stadium.

It was a battle of the kickers in the first 40 minutes, with three successful penalties from the boot of Marcus Smith compared to two from Wales’ Test centurion Leigh Halfpenny, giving the visitors a 9-6 lead at half-time.

But the hosts seized the initiative eight minutes into the second half when Gareth Davies was on hand to finish for a try and they surged further in front thanks to George North going over from close range just before the hour mark, with Halfpenny converting both.

Louis Rees-Zammit was unfortunate not to add a third try for the hosts before full-time when he was adjudged to have knocked on after a TMO review, but that did not take the shine off the result or the performance from Warren Gatland’s new-look team.

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What’s next?

Wales and England do it all again on Saturday August 12 when they reconvene at Twickenham for the second Rugby World Cup warm-up clash against each other. First, though, England’s players face a nervous wait to see who will make Borthwick’s 33-player squad for the global gathering when it is announced on Monday.

Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and Jamie George do not feature in England’s squad to face Wales in one of four upcoming World Cup warm-up friendlies, with Danny Care returning to the line-up having been omitted by Eddie Jones at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Danny Care returns at scrum-half while Ellis Genge captains England as they take on Wales in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff. 

Care lines up next to Harlequins team-mate Marcus Smith with Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and Jamie George not featured in the squad as head coach Steve Borthwick selects an experimental side amid World Cup preparations.

Loosehead prop Genge will lead England out as captain alongside hooker Jamie Blamire and tighthead prop Will Stuart on the front row for what will make the first of four friendlies ahead of France in September.

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England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth says the International friendly against Wales on Saturday is not a final audition for the Rugby World Cup.

Davin Ribbans of Toulon plays alongside the Leicester Tigers’ George Martin in the second row, while Tom Pearson partners Northampton Saints team-mate Lewis Ludlam as the two flankers and Alex Dombrandt plays at No 8.

Leicester’s Guy Porter and Joe Marchant of Stade Francais start in midfield, while Joe Cokanasiga of Bath and Max Malins of Bristol line up on either wing with Freddie Steward at fullback.

“England versus Wales in Cardiff is always an exciting and keenly contested fixture,” said England coach Steve Borthwick.

“I am sure this Saturday will be no different as a tremendous first Test match of the Summer Nations Series.

“We have been impressed with how the whole squad has applied itself both on and off the field over this training camp. We are now looking forward to returning to Test match rugby as we continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France.”

England XI vs Wales:

Backs: 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps), 14. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 18 caps), 13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 15 caps), 12. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps), 11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 14 caps), 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 caps), 9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 87 caps); Forwards: 1. Ellis Genge © (Bristol Bears, 48 caps), 2. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps), 3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 25 caps), 4. David Ribbans (Toulon, 5 caps), 5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap), 6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 19 caps), 7. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, uncapped), 8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 14 caps)

Replacements:

16. Theo Dan (Saracens, uncapped), 17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps), 18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 61 caps), 19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps), 20. Tom Willis (Saracens, uncapped), 21. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps), 22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 81 caps), 23. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 56 caps)

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has handed uncapped pair Stafford McDowell and Cameron Henderson an opportunity to impress after naming an experimental team to face Italy in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup warm-up clash; Rory Darge captains the hosts in the match at Murrayfield

Stafford McDowall and Cameron Henderson are set to make their Scotland debuts in their country’s first World Cup warm-up match at home to Italy on Saturday.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has named an experimental starting XV and replacements bench, with very few of his senior players involved as he runs the rule over his squad before finalising his 33-player group for the showpiece tournament in France in the coming weeks.

Glasgow Warriors centre McDowall starts in the midfield alongside Chris Harris, while Leicester Tigers second row Henderson has been named among the replacements in a team which Rory Darge will captain for the first time.

Outside centre Harris and scrum-half Ali Price are back in the starting line-up after losing their places for the Six Nations earlier this year.

Elsewhere, there is a welcome return for Darcy Graham as he starts on the wing after missing the Six Nations through injury.

The Edinburgh man’s new clubmate Ben Healy, who won his first cap during the Six Nations, will make his first start at fly-half

Glasgow full-back Ollie Smith, who won his third cap in the final Six Nations match against the Italians in March, gets another chance to stake a claim for the No 15 jersey following the recent retirement of Stuart Hogg.

Cameron Henderson is set to win his first Scotland cap off the replacements bench against Italy

In the pack, prop Rory Sutherland is back in the starting line-up while Murphy Walker will win his third cap.

Finn Russell, captain Jamie Ritchie, Grant Gilchrist, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Richie Gray, Duhan Van Der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson and Ben White are among several senior players who have been given the afternoon off.

Scotland have further World Cup warm-up matches against France, who they face home and away, and Georgia to come in August.

Townsend’s side then kick off their World Cup campaign against reigning champions South Africa in Marseille on September 10, with Ireland, Romania and Tonga providing their other opponents in Pool B.

Scotland team to face Italy

15 Ollie Smith, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn; 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ali Price; 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 George Turner, 3 Murphy Walker, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Luke Crosbie, 7 Rory Darge (captain), 8 Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Cameron Redpath.