Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations in 2022 before losing 2-1 to Argentina in a three-Test series in July. They’ll be looking to put that disappointment behind them as they look to take down Australia, a team they’ve beaten in recent years.
Gregor Townsend’s men are on a three-match winning streak against the Wallabies, having defeated them 15-13 in last year’s autumn internationals. They are aiming for their 13th victory overall in their 34th meeting.
Australia has had a disastrous year, falling to ninth in the world rankings, their lowest ever position. Dave Rennie’s men have only won twice since beating England in their first Test of the year, losing that series 2-1 and finishing second-bottom in the Rugby Championship, losing twice to New Zealand and once each to South Africa and Argentina.
However, with the 2023 World Cup less than a year away, the Wallabies will want to demonstrate that their recent form has been part of a building process toward success on the biggest stage of all.
When is Scotland’s match against Australia?
On Saturday, October 29, Scotland will play Australia at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. The game begins at 5.30 p.m. BST.
| UK | Australia | New Zealand | |
| Date | Sat, Oct. 29 | Sat, Oct. 29 | Sat, Oct. 29 |
| Time | 17:30 BST | 03:30 AEDT | 05:30 NZDT |
The Test match is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video in the United Kingdom.
Australia: All Autumn Nations Series matches, including this Test, will be streamed live on Stan Sport in Australia.
Sky Sport is the place to watch the end-of-year international matches in New Zealand.
Lineups for Scotland vs. Australia
| UK | Australia | New Zealand | |
| TV channel | — | — | Sky Sport |
| Stream | Amazon Prime Video | Stan Sport | Sky Sport website/app |
The biggest talking point in the Scotland camp is about someone who isn’t there, after Townsend dropped maverick fly-half Finn Russell from the squad.
Fullback Stuart Hogg has been relieved of his captaincy, with Blair Kinghorn and Ollie Smith taking their places in the 10 and 15 jerseys, respectively.
Jamie Ritchie is the new skipper, and replacement Jack Dempsey could join him in the back row. The Sydney-born flanker played 14 times for the Wallabies between 2017 and 2019, but he switched to Scotland this year.
Scotland XV: Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Mark Bennett, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, Ali Price; Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson; Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson;
Scotland subs: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Glen Young, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Ross Thompson, and Damian Hoyland.
The return of influential flanker Michael Hooper is a significant inclusion for Australia. The 30-year-old took a mental health break this year and did not play in the Rugby Championship, but he is back in the No. 7 jersey for this match. Jock Campbell, a fullback for Australia’s ‘A’ side, impressed in a recent three-game series against a Japan XV and could make his debut off the bench for the green and gold.
Tom Banks, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Bernard Foley, Tate McDermott; James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Caderyn Neville, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Valentini;
Folau Fainga’a, Matt Gibbons, Taniela Tupou, Ned Hanigan, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, and Jock Campbell are Australia’s replacements.
Scotland vs. Australia betting odds
On paper, this is a difficult match to call, and the mood of the bookmakers reflects that. Sky Bet is offering evens on a Scotland victory, while Ladbrokes and Sky Bet are both offering 8/11 on the Wallabies winning.
It’s likely to be a tight game, as many between these two sides have been, but it won’t be a draw, with OKBET offering the shortest odds on a draw at 20/1.
| UK (Sky Bet) | Australia (Ladbrokes) | |
| Scotland win | 1/1 | 5/6 |
| Australia win | 8/11 | 8/11 |