Scotland's patchy form in 2022 saw them finish fourth in the Six Nations before losing 2-1 in a three-Test series with Argentina in July. They'll be aiming to put that disappointment behind them as they look to claim a scalp over Australia, a side they have had success over in recent years.
Gregor Townsend's men are on a three-match winning streak over the Wallabies, having won 15-13 in their previous contest in last year's autumn internationals. They are bidding for a 13th victory overall in what will be their 34th meeting.
This has been a year to forget for Australia, who have slumped to ninth in the world rankings — their lowest ever position. Since beating England in their first Test of the year, Dave Rennie's men have only won twice, 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, the Wallabies have the chance to develop their identity with the 2023 World Cup less than a year away, and they will want to prove that their recent form has been part of a building process towards success on the biggest stage of all.
⏪ Murrayfield memories #ThrowbackThursday
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 26, 2022
⏰ Sunday 30 October, 3:30am AEDT
🏟 BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
📺 @StanSportAU#Wallabies @eToroAU #SCOvAUS pic.twitter.com/NKYx8rOSIO
MORE: Hooper recalled as Wallabies make five changes for tour opener
When is Scotland vs. Australia?
Scotland host Australia at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland on Saturday, October 29. The game kicks off 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 |
How to watch Scotland vs. Australia
| UK | Australia | New Zealand | |
| TV channel | — | — | Sky Sport |
| Stream | Amazon Prime Video | Stan Sport | Sky Sport website/app |
UK: The Test match is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
Australia: All matches in the Autumn Nations Series, as well as this Test, will be streamed via Stan Sport in Australia.
New Zealand: Sky Sport is the place to catch the end-of-year international matches.
Scotland vs. Australia lineups
The biggest talking point in the Scotland camp is surrounding someone who isn't in it, after maverick fly-half Finn Russell was dropped from the squad by Townsend.
Fullback Stuart Hogg has been stripped of the captaincy, with Blair Kinghorn and Ollie Smith starting in the 10 and 15 jerseys respectively. Jamie Ritchie is the new skipper and could be joined in the back row by replacement Jack Dempsey. The Sydney-born flanker appeared 14 times for the Wallabies between 2017 and 2019 but changed his international allegiance 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
Scotland replacements: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Glen Young, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Ross Thompson, Damien Hoyland
"It'll be a special moment for me and my family" 💙
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 28, 2022
🎙️ Hear from Jamie Ritchie from today's team run. pic.twitter.com/tOQh6bwmT5
The big inclusion for Australia is the return of influential flanker Michael Hooper. The 30-year-old took a mental health break this year and missed the Rugby Championship but is back in his No. 7 jersey for this match. Fullback Jock Campbell impressed in a recent three-game series between Australia's 'A' side and a Japan XV and could make his debut off the bench for the green and gold.
Australia XV: 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
Australia replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Ned Hanigan, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Jock Campbell
MORE: The 'quite weird' Redpath reaction to his Scotland unavailability
Scotland vs. Australia odds
It's a tough, tough match-up to call on paper, and the mood of the bookmakers reflects that. Sky Bet are giving evens on a Scotland victory, while both they and Ladbrokes are at 8/11 on the Wallabies picking up the win.
It's likely to be a tight game — as many between these two sides have been — but not one that will be tied, with the shortest odds on a draw at 20/1 from Sky Bet.
| UK (Sky Bet) | Australia (Ladbrokes) | |
| Scotland win | 1/1 | 5/6 |
| Australia win | 8/11 | 8/11 |
