What channel is the Scotland game on? TV details for Autumn Nations Series match v Tonga
With English- and French-based players unavailable, Gregor Townsend has picked a match-day squad which is entirely home-based.
There are four uncapped players in the starting XV and another four on the bench as Scotland play their first match since defeating France 27-23 in the thrilling final game of the 2021 Six Nations in Paris in March.
Who: Scotland v Tonga
What: Autumn Nations Series
Where: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
When: 2.30pm, Saturday, October 30
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
How to watch the match on TV
Amazon Prime Video has secured the rights to all four of Scotland’s matches in the Autumn Nations Series. The subscription video and on-demand streaming service got involved with international rugby last year when it broadcast matches in the Autumn Nations Cup. It is now a big player in the TV rights market and has made inroads into a number of other sports, notably tennis. It also shows 20 live football matches per season from the English Premier League. Their coverage is available as a standalone service or as part of Amazon's Prime subscription. To sign-up or start a free trial visit: Amazon.co.uk/prime
Will there be radio coverage?
The commercial station talkSPORT has acquired the radio rights for the Autumn Nations Series. It is available via DAB digital radio and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
How good are Tonga?
Tonga are 15th in the world rankings (Scotland are seventh) and many of their players are based in France, playing mostly in the second-tier Pro D2. New Glasgow Warriors winger Walter Fifita has been picked to face Scotland.
Tonga go into Saturday’s game without their head coach Toutai Kefu who is still recovering after he and his family were the victims of a violent break-in at their home in Brisbane which left them seriously injured.
What is the Autumn Nations Series?
The Autumn Nations Series is not a standalone tournament like last year’s Autumn Nations Cup, but the collective term for the international matches being played by the leading Test nations from 30 October through to 20 November. It’s basically a new name for the autumn Tests.
Who else are Scotland playing in the Autumn Nations Series?
After Tonga, Scotland will take on Australia on Sunday, November 7 (kick-off 2.15pm); South Africa on Saturday, November 13 (1pm); and Japan on Saturday, November 20 (1pm). All games are at BT Murrayfield.
Last time v Tonga
Scotland last played Tonga in November 2014 and won 37-12 at Rugby Park. Scotland scored five tries through Blair Cowan, Stuart Hogg, Alex Dunbar, Geoff Cross and Tommy Seymour. Greig Laidlaw converted three and kicked two penalties. Rob Harley is the only starter from the game at Kilmarnock who is in the team for this weekend’s match.
Match odds
Paddy Power make Scotland overwhelming favourites to win at a faintly ludicrous price of 1/200. Tonga are 30/1, with the draw 100/1. It’s worth noting that Tonga sprang a major surprise by defeating Scotland 21-15 at Pittodrie in 2012, a result that led to the departure of then head coach Andy Robinson.