Scotland statement: Townsend confirms four-game World Cup warm-up

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend has confirmed a four-Test build-up for his team before the start of the Rugby World Cup, including two matches versus host nation France. The Scots will welcome the 2022 Guinness Six Nations champions to Edinburgh on August 5 before heading to France a week later for a rematch at a venue that is still to be confirmed.

Townsend’s charges, who have been drawn in Pool B alongside defending world champions South Africa, Ireland, Tonga and Romania, will also take on Italy at Murrayfield on July 29 and they round off their pre-tournament preparations with another home game, versus Georgia on August 26.

Townsend said: “2023 is a huge year for our national team and after the Six Nations our focus will quickly turn to the Rugby World Cup. All four fixtures will provide invaluable experiences in our preparation for the tournament.

“Having the opportunity to play at home on three occasions before we depart will enable our players to feel the backing of our supporters ahead of setting off for the World Cup.

“The match against France away from home will be very important as we are going to spend time at our training base for the World Cup in Nice prior to the game and replicate the schedule our players will experience during the tournament itself.”

Coming off the back of a 2022 Autumn Nations Series that finished with a huge win over 14-man Argentina, the Scots will begin their upcoming Six Nations campaign with a February 4 game away England at Twickenham. It could be their last championship with Townsend in charge of Scotland as the coach has been linked with a post-World Cup move to France.

Galthie’s backroom staff will have a vacancy after the finals as attack coach Lauren Labit will be moving on to take charge at Stade Francais.