Scotland vs Russia, Rugby World Cup 2019 LIVE: Result and reaction from Pool A fixture today
Follow the latest updates live from the Rugby World Cup as Scotland look to keep their quarter-final hopes alive against Russia in Pool A.
The Scots continue to try and rebuild their campaign following the opening defeat against Ireland, and after a crushing 34-0 victory over Samoa, Gregor Townsend’s side can close right up onto the tail of the Irish in the battle for the top two spots.
Scotland will be expected to win, but they need to ensure they do a professional job and guarantee the bonus point too, which would give them a chance of beating Japan in Sunday’s Pool A showdown and reaching the last eight. Follow the live updates below.
Of course, Scotland would go through if they are level on points with Japan after beating the Brave Blossoms due to head-to-head. So if Japan are within seven points, and thus would earn a losing bonus point, Scotland would need a try bonus to move level with them and progress.
This is what the Pool A table looks like after that result. Assuming Ireland win with a bonus point against Samoa, they will be through, and Japan against Scotland will decide who joins them in the quarter-finals.
Comprehensive. Scotland have utterly obliterated a Russian side rather ready to depart Japan, with nine tries, including five shared between the half-backs. Adam Hastings was outstanding, George Horne grabbed himself a hat-trick, and Scotland did what they had to do and much more to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
To Yokohama, and to hosts Japan. That could be quite the contest on Sunday.
A superb pass from Duncan Taylor to find Blair Kinghorn in space on the left, and Kinghorn, Taylor and Henry Pyrgos work the offloads to keep the movement going, with Taylor opting to keep the ball rather than slip in John Barclay for a potential second as he is felled 15 metres out.
Adam Hastings fizzes the ball wide, Scott McInally gathers on the bounce and goes over.
A quick check to see if there was a stray toe in touch, but Marius Jonker decides McInally has crossed without contacting the white line of the touchline, and Adam Hastings is allowed to add the conversion. Scotland make 60.
This has been just about perfect for Scotland. They've blown Russia way, and appear to have done so without suffering any major injuries. Three minutes left, and they play from their own 22...
A little pass from Simon Berghan to put the run-on captain into space, and Barclay simply keeps running. Geman Davydov seems to shirk the tackle, buying the most perfunctory of dummies, and Barclay lumbers over beneath the posts.
Big replacement loos head Azamat Bitiev feels the need to charge into Adam Hastings with arms by his side. No arms tackle called by Wayne Barnes.
Poor Bitiev - he's been utterly done by a dummy and is unable to work his arm back far enough to grab a hold of Hastings. Nothing at all malicious in that, just a prop who doesn't look to be in the best of shape done completely by a skilful fly-half. Scotland will have a five-metre lineout.
And excellent carrying from Tagir Gadzhiev wins Russia a penalty. The flanker has had a superb World Cup. Worth a punt, you'd think, for a bigger European club, at a relatively reasonable price. Gnarly, smart, rounded and busy.
George Turner is spun into a cartwheel as he is taken low in the tackle. Nothing illegal or particularly dangerous.
And that's lovely! Adam Hastings with a gorgeous offload for WP Nel of all people, and the tighthead produces a remarkable whipped pass over the top for Henry Pyrgos.
Scotland vs Russia kicks off at 4.15pm Japan Standard Time (8.15am BST) on Wednesday 9 October.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on ITV1. Alternatively, you can live stream it via the ITV Hub on your smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Teams
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor, Pete Horne, Darcy Graham; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Gordon Reid, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Ben Toolis; John Barclay, Fraser Brown, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Siomn Berghan, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Henry Pyrgos, Chris Harris.
