Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with just over two weeks until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Scotland.
Scotland have quietly emerged as a real dark horse for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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Gregor Townsend’s team find themselves in the ‘Pool of Death’ but will like their chances to advance to the quarter-finals after missing out in 2019.
It’s a new era for the Scots after legendary fullback Stuart Hogg’s shock retirement.
However, they have a squad with talent lathered across the park as they look to better their fourth-place finish in 1991.
Finished third in their 2019 RWC Pool
Scotland finished the 2022 season on a high after a narrow loss to the Wallabies.
Wins over Argentina and Fiji bookmarked a tight loss to the All Blacks that saw them lead for the majority of the match.
This continued into the Six Nations, finishing third with the highlight coming in their opening game when they defeated rivals England 29-23.
They were dominant in their 25-13 win over Italy before splitting their August series against France
Scrumhalf Ben White was included in coach Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for the Rugby World Cup announced Wednesday following fears he might miss the tournament in France.
There was no place in the 33-man tour party for Stuart McInally, who captained Scotland at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. The 33-year-old Edinburgh hooker announced at the end of last season that he would retire following the end of the World Cup.
It includes 14 players who were the squad in 2019, with four -- Grant Gilchrist, WP Nel, Richie Gray and Finn Russell -- set to appear in a third World Cup, with Jamie Ritchie set to captain
Backs: Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris, Ben Healy, George Horne, Huw Jones, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White
Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (c), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson.
Finn Russell is a special player and ultimately carries Scotland’s hopes on his back with no Hogg.
Russell’s relationship with the Scottish team has been rocky, initially dropped for the end-of-year tour in 2022 before re-gaining his place for the final two tests. He came back with a bang and suddenly found himself with the captain’s armband against France.
Russell is a magician in attack, able to create the absurd out of nothing. His passing is world-class and his ability to get the best out of his exciting backs will determine how far they go.
Australian-born Sione Tuipolotu is the one that got away for Wallabies fans.
Coming through the Rebels system, Tuipolotu’s decision to head to Scotland in 2021 was an inspired one, called into the national side almost instantly. His brother Mosese has committed to the Waratahs and the gold jersey, however, it won’t be long before he attracts similar levels of attention
The 26-year-old is a hard-running centre who showed just how dangerous he can be against Argentina when he crossed for a double in their thumping win.
As mentioned, a lot of attention will be on Russell but his partnership with Glasgow teammate Huw Jones will be crucial, with the pair able to switch seamlessly between inside and outside.
Played: 42
Wins: 24
Loses: 17
Draw: 1
Best Result: Fourth (1991)
2019: Pool Stages
2015: Quarter Final
2011: Group Stages
2007: Quarter Final
2003: Quarter Final
The perfect way to test the Scottish is to take on the defending champions.
South Africa have shown in the past they can take their time to build into tournaments - see 2019.
The reality is Gregor Townsend’s side needs to beat a team above them in the rankings to qualify for the knockouts, even though they enter the World Cup as the fifth-ranked side.
With the game against Ireland rounding out the pool stage for Scotland, it’s imperative they start with a bang to take the pressure off.
Mon Sep 11 (1:45 AM): South Africa v Scotland, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Mon Sep 25 (1:45 AM): Scotland v Tonga, Stade de Nice, Nice
Sun Oct 1 (6:00 AM): Scotland v Romania, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Sun Oct 8 (6:00 AM): Ireland v Scotland, Stade de France, Paris
