Scotland switch seven for must-win Samoa showdown
Thursday 8 October 2015 16:22, UK
Coach Vern Cotter has made seven changes to his team for Scotland's must win showdown with Samoa in Newcastle on Saturday.
Fly-half Finn Russell (ankle), Flanker John Hardie (concussion protocols), wing Sean Maitland (hand), who missed last week's defeat to South Africa, all return to the starting XV.
Outside-centre Mark Bennett also returns to partner Matt Scott in midfield.
In the pack, Alasdair Dickinson and Ross Ford join Willem Nel in the front-row, while Ryan Wilson starts in the back-row alongside Hardie and No 8 David Denton.
Richie Gray will win his 50th cap having been reinstated in the second-row alongside brother Jonny.
If Scotland are successful they will face the winner of Pool A (Australia or Wales) at Twickenham the following weekend.
Cotter said: "Every Test match is a 'must-win' when you represent your country.
"We've put in a huge amount of work to get us to this point, and our performances and commitment have put us in a position to qualify for the last eight.
"We'll need to be up to the challenge, enjoy the opportunity, and maintain the awareness needed to play to our strengths and impose our game."
Scotland team v Samoa: 15 Stuart Hogg 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Ryan Wilson, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.
