Scotland vs Tonga date, start time & TV info
Date Sunday, November 23
Starts 1.40pm
Venue Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Competition COMP Autumn Nations Series
TV Live on TNT Sports 1
Tonga have recorded just three wins over tier-one nations in this century but one of those came against Scotland at Pittodrie in 2012.
However, both teams have moved in different directions since then and the Scots are 40-point favourites for Sunday’s autumn international at Murrayfield.
Scotland vs Tonga betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Duhan van der Merwe to score two or more tries
1pt 11-8 bet365
Scotland vs Tonga preview
Scotland will be kicking themselves after letting a 19-0 lead slip after Argentina last week, and even though head coach Gregor Townsend has changed almost the entire team for Sunday’s clash with Tonga, the mood in the camp will no doubt be focused on atoning for that defeat.
It was no doubt always the intention to field a second-string side against the Pacific nation in their final match of the year and Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke is among those given his chance, earning a third cap.
These teams met at the Rugby World Cup in 2023, when Scotland coasted to a 45-17 victory.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe was among the Scotland tryscorers that day and, having been benched against the Pumas last week, the giant Glasgow Warrior is sure to be keen to make his mark again.
Van der Merwe is the player who, more than any other in the Scotland line-up, represents a threat every time he has the ball and bagged a brace on his last start against the USA earlier this month.
Scotland vs Tonga team news and predicted line-ups
Scotland
Head coach Gregor Townsend makes 14 changes from the team that lost to Argentina last week
Starting line-up: 15 Tom Jordan; 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe; 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ben White; 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Alex Samuel, 5 Max Williamson, 6 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 8 Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne, 22 Stafford McDowall, 23 Kyle Steyn.
Tonga
Tonga retain the bulk of the pack from the Pacific Nations Cup in September but backs Charles Piutau and Willis Halaholo are among those absent.
Predicted line-up: 15 William Havili; 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 John Tapueluelu; 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Sonatane Takulua; 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 2 Siua Maile, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Harison Mataele, 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Siosiua Moala, 8 Lotu Inisi.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Fatongia Paea, 18 Phil Kite, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Fotu Lokotui, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Tima Fainga’anuku, 23 Anzelo Tuitavuki.
Scotland vs Tonga betting odds
Here are bet365’s latest odds for Sunday’s match:
Match bettingOddsScotland1-500Tonga40-1Draw80-1HandicapOddsScotland -38EvsTonga +38EvsTie16-1
Odds correct at time of publishing
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Read more:
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FAQs for Scotland vs Tonga
When is Scotland vs Tonga in the Autumn Nations Series?
The match kicks off at 1.40pm on Sunday, November 23.
Where is Scotland vs Tonga being played?
Murrayfield in Edinburgh is the venue.
What is the match betting for Scotland vs Tonga?
Scotland are 1-100 for victory while Tonga are 40-1 shots. The handicap is around 40 points.
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