The Scotland coach, Scott Johnson, is known for his innovative ideas and after his team's failure to score a point against South Africa or make anything of the possession they won, he may be tempted to play all 11 backs he has named for Saturday's encounter with Australia at Murrayfield. Even that number would not be enough on Sunday's form, but four will be culled when the fitness of the wing Tommy Seymour, who suffered a leg injury against the Springboks, is determined on Thursday.
Johnson, a member of Australia's coaching team in the 2007 World Cup, has changed half his pack. Ryan Grant and Tim Swinson come into the front five in place of Alasdair Dickinson and Richie Gray (who does not even make the bench) respectively, while Kelly Brown and John Beattie return to the back row.
"We're clear in what we're trying to do at the moment which is look at different combinations with a view to intensifying competition for places," said Johnson. "The boys are disappointed after last weekend but it would be an overreaction to say they are shattered. I think they showed some good things. We let ourselves down in certain aspects and gave South Africa two chances which they took, as quality sides do.
"But they were brave and I thought they showed composure after a poor start. However, against the top teams you can rarely make mistakes and not be punished. If we give Australia four chances, they will probably take them, so we have to limit our mistakes and learn to take our chances."
Australia, who suspended five players at the start of the week for drinking, including the three-quarter Adam Ashley-Cooper, have problems in the midfield. Tevita Kuridrani is suspended after being cited for a dangerous tackle against Ireland last weekend while Matt Toomua has returned home after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Tonga, who beat Scotland a year ago, have hit back at comments from the Wales coach Shaun Edwards in the buildup to Friday night's Test at the Millennium Stadium that they are reckless tacklers. Edwards called on the match referee Mike Fraser to protect his players and not put up with any "unsavoury" nonsense.
"That's an insult to me and my team-mates," said the Tonga captain, Nili Latu, who played for the Chiefs when the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, was there. "Rugby is a contact sport.
"My fellow brothers don't go out there to attack the other team, we want a fair, clean and hard contest. Going into this game we have already been targeted because we were given a red card [against France] last week. I hope the referee doesn't see it that way and lets us play fully."
