Rugby World Cup 2019: When is Scotland vs Samoa, UK start time, how to watch online and TV channel
Everything you need to know for the Pool A encounter in Kobe
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Scotland must get back to winning ways when they take on Samoa on Monday night if they are to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive, with Gregor Townsend’s side facing a do-or-die clash against the hard-hitting Pacific Islanders.
The Scots suffered a disappointing 27-3 defeat against Ireland in their tournament opener last weekend, and Japan’s shock victory over the Irish on Saturday has now blown Pool A wide open.
The victory could hand Scotland a way back into the mix to top the group, but it would require them to win their remaining three matches – starting with Samoa – and needing to beat Japan in the final pool game of the competition.
But even that would not guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals, as the shootout between Scotland, Ireland and Japan would then go down to bonus points.
However, that would depend on Scotland finding a way past Samoa this evening, and with the Pacific Islanders beating Russia in their opener, they remain in the mix for progress to the last eight as well.
Here’s everything you need to know for the match.
When is the match?
Scotland vs Samoa takes place on Monday 30 September at the Kobe Misaki Stdium.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 7:15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 11:15am BST.
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage will be shown on ITV and the ITV Hub at 7:25am.
Teams
Scotland: Hogg; Graham Harris, Johnson, Maitland; Russell, Laidlaw; Dell, McInally, Nel; Gilchrist, Gray; Bradbury, Ritchie, Thomson.
Replacements: Brown, Reid, Fagerson, Cummings, Wilson, Horne, Hastings, Taylor.
Samoa: Nani-Williams; Tuatagaloa, Leiua, Taefu, Fidow; Pisi, Matavao; Mulipola, Niuia, Alaalatoa; Paulo, Le’aupepe; Vui, Ioane, Lam.
Replacements: Lam, Alo-Emile, Lay, Fa’asalele, Tyrell, Cowley, Seuteni, Fonotia.
Odds
Scotland to win: 1/6
Samoa to win: 13/2
Draw: 50/1
Prediction
Scotland 25-20 Samoa: Scotland should deliver something of a response to last week’s shocker against Ireland, and the nine days’ rest will have helped compared to Samoa’s week-turnaround. However, results between these two sides tend to be tight, and on the grand occasion of a World Cup clash, this should be no different.
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