Ross Ford and Matt Scott face concussion tests
The Edinburgh duo both received head knocks in last Saturday’s 34-16 loss to South Africa and must tick the final boxes before being cleared of any concussion symptoms and passed fit for tomorrow’s clash in Newcastle. Their situations will be clarified by the Scotland team this morning.
Flanker John Hardie, sidelined since taking a knock in the opening game against Japan, has been cleared to return to a side which also includes stand-off Finn Russell. The first choice playmaker rolled an ankle in the second pool match against the United States in Leeds but is back in a starting XV that includes seven changes from the South Africa game.
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Hide AdMark Bennett returns at outside centre, Ryan Wilson is chosen ahead of Josh Strauss at blindside flanker, Sean Maitland replaces Tim Visser on the left wing and Al Dickinson and Ford are reunited with their Edinburgh team-mate Willem Nel in the front row.
Scotland must win tomorrow to be sure of a quarter-final place.