Scotland and Australia Meet at Murrayfield After Losses Last Weekend

Scotland host Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday in the Nations Championship, the autumn series of international matches between the sport's leading teams. Both sides come into the game after defeat, which means neither can afford a slow start.

Scotland lost to New Zealand at Murrayfield last weekend. Australia lost to England at Twickenham in the same round of fixtures, according to BBC Sport.

The contest has a personal edge for Scotland. Their captain, Sione Tuipulotu, was born in Australia, so he will lead his country against the nation of his birth. The two sides last met two years ago, and that match ended early for Joseph Suaalii after a tackle involving Tuipulotu.

Suaalii is back in the Australia side. He started on the wing against England, but he will wear the No. 13 shirt at Murrayfield. The 13 is normally the inside-centre position, the player who usually sits between the first receiver and the wingers and often takes the hard, direct carries. Moving him into that role is one of the more interesting selection calls of the week.

Scotland have made two changes to their starting line-up. Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham have both earned starts, according to Scottish Rugby. Kinghorn is a full-back who can also attack from deep, and Graham is a winger with pace to spare. Their places give Scotland a fast, dangerous back line.

There is also a debut to watch. Ewan Ashman, who is 21, is in line to make his first international appearance for Scotland, and he is playing at home. Leatherbarrow is also primed for a debut, Scottish Rugby reports. For young players, a Murrayfield crowd and an opponent of Australia's standing make for a tough first test.

Kyle Steyn, a 32-year-old winger with Glasgow Warriors, is part of the Scotland squad and brings plenty of experience to the back three.

For newcomers, the result matters beyond one afternoon. Nations Championship games are about building a run of form, and a second defeat would leave Scotland under pressure heading into their next match. Scotland are scheduled to play Japan next week, so this game is the first of two in quick succession.

Elsewhere in the same international window, France beat world champions South Africa in Paris on Friday, adding another headline to a busy autumn.

Kick-off is on Sunday at Murrayfield. Expect a contest built on the set pieces, the scrums and lineouts where possession is won and lost, and on who can keep a fast pace going without tiring.