Scotland kick off their Rugby World Cup marketing campaign towards South Africa in Marseille on Sunday.
Here, the PA information company units the scene with 5 speaking factors forward of the mouth-watering Pool B showdown at Stade Velodrome.
Box-office starter to top-heavy group
Beyond the opening sport between France and New Zealand on Friday, the Scots’ showdown with the Springboks is probably the most eye-catching of the primary spherical of pool fixtures. Indeed, Sunday’s match in Marseille is for greater stakes than the opening sport in Paris given the energy of Pool B and the lowered margin for error.
The truth the draw was made again in 2020, when a number of groups have been in notably totally different form to what they’re now, has led to a state of affairs whereby three of the present prime 5 on the earth are in the identical group. One of South Africa, Ireland or Scotland is assured to be eradicated on the group stage.
Each of the head-to-heads between these three groups are certain to be essential in deciding who qualifies, assuming all of them make gentle work of each Tonga and Romania. Victory for both workforce at Stade Velodrome will stand them in good stead to progress from this heavyweight part.
Both groups in buoyant temper
The two sides kick off the World Cup with each proper to be optimistic about their probabilities.
South Africa have climbed from fourth to second on the earth rankings within the weeks main as much as the event on the again of 4 consecutive wins. Their emphatic destructions of Wales and New Zealand final month have been notably spectacular, making certain they start their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup as one of many favourites.
Scotland go into the event with phrases of lofty reward from John Jeffrey ringing of their ears after the 1990 Grand Slam hero branded them the very best Scottish workforce ever at their World Cup welcome ceremony in Nice on Monday.
The Scots are ranked fifth on the earth and have arrived in France with a real perception that they will beat any workforce on the earth. One of those sides is ready to have their bubble burst on weekend one.
Scots should defy historical past and break new floor
Scotland have by no means beforehand defeated a tier-one nation at a Rugby World Cup. In addition, they’ve misplaced every of their final seven conferences with South Africa.
It is 13 years because the Scots final beat the Springboks as Dan Parks kicked each level for Andy Robinson’s workforce in a 21-17 victory in an autumn Test at Murrayfield in November 2010. The final conflict between these two nations was nearly two years in the past, when South Africa gained 30-15 in Edinburgh.
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The Scots have crushed the Springboks solely 5 occasions in 28 makes an attempt over greater than a century, however Gregor Townsend’s facet have ended lengthy winless streaks lately, most notably away to France and England.
Style battle – energy v panache
Along with France and New Zealand, Scotland have change into some of the swashbuckling attacking groups on the planet, whereas South Africa are probably the most highly effective.
The brutish Springboks will try to bulldoze their opponents out of their rhythm, whereas the Scots – with the on-form Finn Russell pulling the strings at stand-off – are intent on outrunning and outplaying the formidable world champions. It guarantees to be an intriguing conflict of kinds.
Can Scots deal with the warmth?
With France scorching amid a late-summer heatwave, either side have needed to take care of scorching temperatures all through their first week at their respective bases on the Cote d’Azur, with the Scots in Nice and the Springboks alongside the sunkissed coast at Toulon.
The two groups will now come collectively within the melting pot of Marseille, the place it’s anticipated to be within the mid-20s come kick-off at 5.45pm native time.
Scotland will hope the 2 earlier stints they spent in Nice earlier this summer time will stand them in good stead, though coach John Dalziel stated earlier this week that it feels hotter now, in early September, than it did once they have been right here beforehand in June and August.
A French journalist within the media room in Marseille commented on Friday that “it is too hot to play rugby”, though the implementation of water breaks is certain to be welcomed by all concerned.
The Scots’ health – one thing they’ve prided themselves on this summer time – is certain to be examined to the restrict.
