As the Autumn Nations Series reaches its climax, Scotland gears up to face Australia in a crucial match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. Scheduled for Sunday, November 24, at 13:40 GMT, this encounter promises to be a thrilling showdown as both teams look to assert their dominance. Scotland’s Matt Fagerson will mark a milestone by earning his 50th cap in this match, showcasing his resilience and commitment to the national team.
Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, has made strategic adjustments ahead of the game. The only alteration in the forward pack comes with Jamie Ritchie taking the blindside position in place of the injured Jack Dempsey. Fagerson shifts to number eight, bringing experience to the lineup after facing South Africa just two weeks prior.
Townsend recognizes the importance of cohesion within his squad, noting that the core of the team has played together for several years. This continuity is crucial as they prepare for a formidable opponent.
In addition to Ritchie’s return, Darcy Graham steps back onto the wing after recovering from concussion, while Blair Kinghorn shifts to full-back. This change marks a notable moment for Tom Jordan, who impressed during his first three caps but now finds himself on the bench.
Scotland aims to prevent Australia from achieving an unprecedented ‘grand slam’ tour of the home nations since 1984. The Wallabies come into this match with victories over England and Wales under their belt and are preparing for a final test against Ireland next weekend.
Australia’s coach Joe Schmidt has introduced six changes to his lineup after their record-breaking victory over Wales. Notably, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, a promising player who earned player of the match honors in his debut against England, will start at outside centre. With Samu Kerevi suspended, Len Ikitau will shift back to inside centre to accommodate Suaalii’s inclusion.
Schmidt acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the week due to cold weather impacting training sessions but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt effectively.
Former Leicester Tigers winger Harry Potter is set to make his debut alongside captain Harry Wilson, who returns from concussion. With formidable players like Will Skelton anchoring the second row, Australia looks poised for a competitive clash.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter, it is clear that Scotland’s aspirations hinge on their ability to leverage experience while countering Australia’s youthful energy and resilience. The outcome of this match could have significant implications not only for their standings in this series but also for their outlook heading into future competitions.
South Africa Prepares for Challenge Against England As the Autumn Nations Series unfolds, the stage is set for a pivotal clash between world champions South Africa and England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
Ireland Seeks Redemption Against Argentina After All Blacks Defeat Last week, Ireland faced a tough setback as they suffered only their second home loss under head coach Andy Farrell, falling 23-13 to the All Blacks in Dublin.