Key events
This is the first meeting between Australia and Scotland in the World Cup. Thought you ought to know.
Aussies ring the changes
There are six debutants for the Kangaroos this evening. Matt Burton, Campbell Graham, Natham Clearly, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo don the green and gold for the first time and start for Australia. Lindsay Collins will get going from the bench.
Australia: James Tedesco (cap), Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cameron Munster, Nathan Clearly, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Harry Grant, Patrick Carrigan, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo.
Interchange: Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Valentine Holmes, Jack Trbojevic
Are you cross about the lack of gardening tonight? You’re not alone. Monty is less than pleased that the footy is on.
Monty, if you’re reading this, welcome. I hope you find solace in my ramblings.
Gardeners World is on tonight at 9pm – moved by the inscrutable (and often frankly bewildering) BBC schedulers to accommodate a rugby league match between Scotland and Australia. Make of that what you will, but dont miss the main event at 9pm on BBC2 this evening.
— Monty Don (@TheMontyDon) October 20, 2022
This one isn’t about the Aussies or Scots, but it’s a cracking yarn worth your time while you settle in.
Gavin Willacy explores the off-field life of Jake Colovatti and Radean Robinson, two care workers who also play a bit of footy for Italy.
Trust me. You want to read this.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Hello and welcome to round two of the Rugby League World Cup. On paper, this should be a gimme for the world champs. But the game ain’t played on paper, and the Scottish forward Euan Aitken has encouraged his mates to “show a bit of fight”. They’ll need some Braveheart spirit to get the job done.
The Kangaroos were red hot in their opening round win over Fiji. There was some rust in that 42-8 win, but they underlined their status as the top team in the world, running home comfortable winners thanks to some excellent play from their creative forces in midfield and speedy wingers out wide.
Scotland were not so fortunate in their inaugural fixture of the comp. They were soundly beaten 28-4 by the Italians and will have to produce their greatest ever performance to get on top tonight.
Along with Aitken, the Scots are bolstered by NRL veterans such as Kane Linnett and Ryan Brierly, but expecting them to put up a fight against the 11-times winners is a big ask.
This game comes in the wake of the sudden death of Liam Hampson and the Kangaroos will no doubt be spurred by something more than national pride. Sport is seldom a cure for the ailments of the real world, but it can act as a salve of sorts. Hampson, who was 24, would no doubt have wanted his countrymen to put on a show.
Not that Scotland will be steered by sentiment. Lose tonight and their tournament could be over. Lose badly, and it almost certainly will be.
My name is Daniel. I’m buzzing for this one. If you are too, drop me a line on Twitter or send an email. Glad to have you on board.
It all kicks off at 7:30pm UK time.