‘We need the same resolve': Townsend calls on Scots to match spirit of Paris against Wallabies

Coach Gregor Townsend has called on Scotland to channel the spirit of Paris as they prepare to host the in-form Wallabies in Sunday’s Autumn Nations Series clash at Murrayfield.

The head coach is delighted that he has been able to name a team featuring 14 of the 15 players who started the Six Nations victory away to France in March, with the injured Rory Sutherland the only absentee from that side.

That was the first time the Scots had won in Paris for 22 years, and – despite the fact almost eight months has elapsed since then – Townsend is hoping the feelgood factor from that match can be built upon.

“I couldn’t believe that ten days ago we had all 15 players available that started that game but just as I mentioned it to a coach, Rory Sutherland got injured in training,” reflected Townsend ruefully.

“It’s a unique situation in rugby that we can select from such a similar group.

“Those players showed their togetherness and resilience in Paris.

“That was one of the best performances I’ve been involved in with this group in terms of the way we started it, the way we managed it, the way we had to defend when we were a man down on two occasions, and then we came back to win.

“Even though it has been almost eight months, this group know they have been a team before, a winning team.

“We’ll need the same resolve, same togetherness and same quality of rugby on Sunday to beat Australia.”

(Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Scotland have played only one match since then – last weekend’s routine 60-14 win over Tonga.

Australia, by contrast, have managed to squeeze in 11 games since July and have won each of their last five.

Townsend admits Australia could have an edge in that regard.

He said: “It could be a concern. This is our first game with this team for more than seven months. We have been playing games at club level, so players have been getting battle-hardened, some more than others.

“The learning that the Australians have been exposed to has been fantastic.

“They’ve played the All Blacks seven times over the past two years, they’ve played the world champions (South Africa) twice, they’ve played Japan and Argentina – teams with different styles – so you’re going to improve with these exposures.

“We’ve just got to look to build that cohesion straight away. We’ve had two weeks’ training and just one game with this group of players but they seem to have bonded well.

“They’ve trained with energy and communication has been high so those are usually positive signs that we’ll get off to a positive start on Sunday.”

Townsend has made six changes to the side that started the ten-try victory over Tonga, with Stuart Hogg, Duhan van der Merwe, Chris Harris, Finn Russell, Sam Skinner and Grant Gilchrist all added to the team.

“Last weekend, players played very well but we’re backing this group of players,” said Townsend.

“They did a lot of good things in the Six Nations and, since then, a few of them have gone on to have more experiences that should make them even more rounded players and more confident Test players.”

Edinburgh loosehead Pierre Schoeman, who made his debut in the 60-14 win over Tonga last weekend, has earned his second cap after injury ruled out Sutherland.

Townsend has selected all his available seven players who were on the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Hogg is joined in the back three by van der Merwe, while other Lions Ali Price and Russell continue their halfback partnership and Matt Fagerson starts at No.8.

Kyle Steyn, who scored a record-breaking four tries against Tonga last weekend, is named among the replacements.

Sale hooker Ewan Ashman and Bath back-row forward Josh Bayliss are also on the bench and could make their debuts.

Townsend explained why he decided to go with such an established team after sending out something of an experimental line-up against Tonga.

He said: “While there were several positives to take from the win against Tonga we face a very different opponent in Australia this week.

“They are coming into this fixture clearly off the back of good results and full of confidence, so we will need to bring focus, accuracy and aggression for the full 80 minutes.

“We have been able to select an experienced team with the availability of our players outside of Scotland and aim to use the remaining Autumn Nations Series fixtures to build our game through improving week on week.”

Scotland: Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Sam Johnson, Chris Harris, Darcy Graham, Stuart Hogg.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Oli Kebble, Jamie Hodgson, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Kyle Steyn.