After suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Japan in Vancouver, Canada limp back Toronto to try and find redemption against Scotland. The visitors will be happy to escape the arid heat of Houston, and should find themselves well received by a vibrant crowd with plenty of expatriates in attendance. They might not be as excited to face the embattled Canucks, who have called in a couple heavy hitters to bolster their pack.
Former captain Aaron Carpenter makes his maiden voyage in the starting hooker position after subbing in his favoured back row spot last week. Ray Barkwill had one of his weaker games in a Canadian shirt against Japan and finds himself on the bench as a result. The other change in the pack sees Jebb Sinclair back in on the flank. The big London Irish regular was a late withdrawal last Friday and his physicality was sorely missed.
Despite playing pretty well in Vancouver, scrumhalf Gordon McRorie will have to wait to face his country of birth as Phil Mack gets the chance to start. Harry Jones and Nick Blevins have been handed a reprieve in the midfield after some pretty ordinary play, with D.T.H. van der Merwe again waiting in the wings to make an impact. The reserve selection sees one change with Kyle Gilmour, also a late scratch last week, fit to take part as back row cover.
Scotland have had to make a couple enforced changes, with Jim Hamilton and Duncan Taylor both missing out due to injuries suffered in Texas. Grant Gilchrist upgrades to the starting roster with Peter Horne called in to play inside centre. Moray Low swaps places with Geoff Cross, and Kelly Brown is recalled in place of Blair Cowan, who failed to impress in his first test outing.
Finn Russell went well enough to earn another shot at flyhalf, with Ruaridh Jackson forced to wait from the reserves. Alex Allan and Pat MacArthur drop out of the squad to allow Kyle Traynor and new cap Kevin Bryce spots on the bench. Sinclair’s London flatmate Kieran Low covers lock in the absence of Hamilton.
Vern Cotter wouldn’t have been impressed with much more than the victory against the United States, a scrappy side but well outclassed. Canada are a step up and if the Scots don’t front up they could be in some difficulty. The addition of Brown is a big boost to the pack, and he should keep things in check if it starts to get messy. Canada have beaten Scotland before on home soil and will put up an inspired fight. Expect the Scots to be challenged but ultimately take the win, though not by much. Pick Scotland by 9.
CANADA vs SCOTLAND
Saturday, June 14, 18:00 GMT, Toronto
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZRU)
Assistants: Stuart Berry (SARU) & Nick Ricono (USAR)
TMO: Davey Ardrey (USAR)
