Scotland v Australia predictions and rugby union tips: Hosts can make fast start

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Scotland v Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Scotland +1 first-half handicap
1pt 10-11 general

Preview

It’s all change for Scotland after a below-par 2022 and the alterations made by head coach Gregor Townsend should have an initial impact in their first Test of the autumn against Australia.

After winning just two of their Six Nations matches and losing a summer Test series in Argentina, Townsend has taken the decision to shake things up, revamping the leadership group with Stuart Hogg replaced as captain by Jamie Ritchie and omitting mercurial fly-half Finn Russell from the squad.

With the World Cup now less than a year away, Townsend needs his reshuffle to have an immediate effect, but bookmakers are sceptical, making Scotland two-point underdogs for the clash with the Wallabies despite the visitors being in a similar situation.

Australia are in desperate need of a pick-me-up after dropping to an all-time low of ninth in the world following a home Test series defeat to England and an underwhelming Rugby Championship campaign.

Australia coach Dave Rennie is a man under pressure and his cause hasn’t been helped by injuries - Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are among those missing for the tourists at Murrayfield.

Michael Hooper does return to captain the Aussies, who are looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat to Scotland and a fifth loss in the last six away from home.

The Scots are hindered by being only able to select home-based players, ruling out the likes of Hogg and Chris Harris, while Blair Kinghorn takes over at fly-half in place of Russell.

But the team Townsend has selected can be backed to make a decent start with Scotland having be ahead at half-time in 12 of their last 15 home matches.

In contrast, Australia are slow starters, going in at the break with a lead once in their previous 12 Tests, and the Wallabies may need to weather an early storm at Edinburgh.

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