Scotland vs Tonga Betting Tips: Predictions as Bravehearts return to action

On Sunday afternoon Scotland will attempt to bounce back from their battling but in the end fruitless Rugby World Cup opener against South Africa. In Nice the team facing them will be Tonga, who although no pushover should be an easier task than the mighty Springboks who dominated the Scots and smothered out their attacking flair. The game takes place in Nice and the weather forecast looks fair so hopefully an entertaining clash awaits.

Billy Grimshaw is our man in the tipping chair for this one and he likes the chances of the Bravehearts to get back to their swashbuckling selves.

Despite being in the contest for much of the game against South Africa two weeks ago, the Scots never looked like forging a try scoring opportunity. Normally this would be cause for concern, however I am of the opinion that the current Springboks team are one of the greatest of all time in terms of their smother defence and unfortunately Scotland just came up against a supremely well oiled defensive machine.

With a welcome fortnight break to assess the defeat and rest any bruises picked up against world rugby's biggest bullies, I'd expect the Scots to be back on song against a Tonga team who were no match for Ireland last weekend on their 2023 World Cup bow. The mitigating circumstances for that slump to a big defeat range from rustiness as the squad hadn't had much time together to fatigue, but it is likely Tonga will improve slightly for the run-out.

What I am confident of, in opposition to any Tongan optimism, is we will see a much improved Scotland side in Nice. South Africa can suffocate the life out of any side but removing that game from our memories and looking back to the Scottish Six Nations campaign, we see a side packed with attacking talent coached by an innovative and enterprising manager and with a fly half that, although a maverick, is almost a points guarantee in Finn Russell.

Tonga's bright start against Ireland dissipated rapidly and their heads went down. If Scotland can get into a lead I think the game could once again get away from the Pacific Islanders and backing Scotland -25 to bounce back looks the way to go.

Not exactly a preview packed with massive priced selections, but I do think there is fair value in backing the Scots on the second half handicap at the same odds as the main game bet with William Hill. As we saw last weekend the Tongans really weakened out of their match with Ireland, conceding 28 points and scoring just 10 of their own. Their only points of the half in fact came in the opening ten minutes after half time and with Scotland's propensity to fling the ball around and desperately hunt tries, I can envisage them really putting Tonga to the sword late.

In Scotland's final warm up game for the World Cup they were trailing 6-0 to Georgia at the break but after a presumed rocket from coach Gregor Townsend at half time they came out and dominated the game, ending up 33-6 victors. This obviously isn't guaranteed but shows the Scots sometimes can start sluggish and the words of their coach, be they angry or methodical, can make a difference to the way in which the Bravehearts execute in the second half.

With Scotland eager to bounce back and give themselves a fighting chance of making the knockout rounds, this game is must win but I don't just think they'll win I think they'll do it with plenty of style, panache and points.