Scotland must deliver in Samoa Test after Springbok victory
Scotland will be confident they can claim their second win of the Autumn International series, as they prepare to take on Samoa at Pittodrie on Saturday 27 November.
The Scots have only made one change from the team that defeated the Springboks 21-17 last weekend.
Richie Vernon who came on for Scott MacLeod as a substitute will play from the start, as the lock has failed to recover from a rib injury.
As a result, Nathan Hines moves from the back-row into the second-row and he will partner Richie Gray. Vernon will move into the back-row and will start at number eight.
Scotland will hope that their forward pack can produce the same type of display against Samoa and a win would end a highly successful year for Scottish head coach Andy Robinson. It would also be a fitting way for prop Alan Jacobson and winger Rory Lamont
to mark their 50th caps.
Jacobson will be particularly pleased to have shaken off his shoulder injury and he will expect to dominate the scrum along with Euan Murray in the front-row.
Mike Blair returns to the substitute’s bench after recovering from concussion sustained during Scotland’s 49-3 defeat to the All Blacks.
Aside from the New Zealand thrashing and a poor 16-12 defeat to Italy in the Six Nations, Scotland will be delighted with their performance this year. They have beaten Ireland and drew with England, and on their summer tour, they defeated Argentina twice
to win the series 2-0.
There is a positive feeling around Scottish rugby at the moment and Robinson will expect another win against Samoa.
The Samoans have replaced tight-head prop Anthony Perenise with Toulouse forward Census Johnston in an attempt to match Scotland’s front-row in the scrum.
The Pacific Islanders have only made one change to their replacements. Bordeaux’s Daniel Leo will come into the team to replace flanker George Williams who is injured.
Despite Scotland’s fantastic display against South Africa, Samoa will visit Pittodrie with confidence. Ireland only narrowly beat the Samoans 20-10 and the team will consider themselves unlucky not to have beaten the Irish in Dublin.
They also caused England some difficulties and came away from Twickenham with a respectable 26-13 defeat, having competed strongly against the English.
However, Samoa will have to gain some level of parity with Scotland up front. Scotland will expect to dominate the scrum and line-out, but Samoa have proved they are improving in the set-piece. Scotland may struggle like England and Ireland to dominate the
Samoan pack.
If Samoa can match Scotland’s forwards and win enough ball, their powerful back-line should be a match for Scotland.
The Samoans have a number of English and French league players in their squad and they are a strong physical side that are extremely skilful in the loose.
After the highs of last week, Scotland may struggle against a Samoan team that will travel to Pittodrie with nothing to lose. The pressure is all on Scotland to deliver and this is something they are not used to.
Prediction: Scotland 15 Samoa 16
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