Scotland

Kangaroos: Scotland upset adds to England's fire

The result in Workington, which saw Scotland become the first second-tier nation to gain a point at a Four Nations tournament, means a draw or win against Australia will now guarantee England of a spot in the November 20 final at Anfield, Liverpool.

Seven new faces in Scotland side

Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote and Dragons centre Euan Aitken are among the new faces for Scotland, while Titans prop Luke Douglas and Kane Linnett have also been included in the squad.

Craig Joubert treatment unfair - Cheika

The governing body issued a statement on Monday saying the South African had not made the "appropriate decision".

Cheika, whose side won Sunday's match 35-34, said: "No other referee has had this stuff put out there like that.

"I would have liked my mates to back me up a little more."

Former top referee Jonathan Kaplan, who has mentored Joubert during his career, questioned whether World Rugby should be "criticising one if its own assets".

Scotland beats Samoa 36-33

Captain Greig Laidlaw scored the decisive try in the final seven minutes, though the Scots had to cling on following Motu Matu'u's late score.

Samoa scored through Tusi Pisi, Ma'atulimanu Leiataua and Rey Lee-Lo in a thrilling first half.

Russell and Ford fit for Scotland against Samoa

Hooker Ford had been a major doubt with a head knock picked up during the Rugby World Cup defeat by South Africa.

Centre Mark Bennett also returns to a side showing seven changes after missing out against the Springboks.

A victory at St James' Park on Saturday would secure Scotland a place in the quarter-finals.

Samoa cannot now qualify and will be without Newcastle Falcons wing Alesana Tuilagi, who has been suspended after foul play during his side's weekend defeat by Japan.

Manu Samoa playing for pride

Last weekend's defeat to Japan ended the Manu's hopes of making the quarter finals.

In a further blow, vice-captain Alesana Tuilagi was banned for five weeks for striking a Japanese defender with his knee.

The suspension has been criticised by a host of ex-players, rugby commentators and fans, for what appeared nothing more than a poorly executed tackle, and the team admits they too were shocked by the decision.

Assistant coach Alama Ieremia said the team owed it to themselves and their supporters to give it everything in their final match.

Russell and Ford fit for Scotland

Hooker Ford had been a major doubt with a head knock picked up during the Rugby World Cup defeat by South Africa.

Centre Mark Bennett also returns to a side showing seven changes after missing out against the Springboks.

A victory at St James' Park on Saturday would secure Scotland a place in the quarter-finals.

Samoa cannot now qualify and will be without Newcastle Falcons wing Alesana Tuilagi, who has been suspended after foul play during his side's weekend defeat by Japan.

Scotland face huge task to topple Springboks in Rugby World Cup

He paid tribute to the legend of the Bokke - their two World Cup wins, their strength in-depth and their monstrous 40-point awakening against Samoa after the horrors of Japan - while at the same time saying that their reputation will count for nothing when these teams start battering each other to a pulp in front of a Newcastle crowd that will be heavily lopsided in Scotland's favour.

"They're just 15 guys," said Scott of the South Africans.

Kate Middleton looks gorgeous with new hairstyle

Her appearance marked the first time the 33-year-old Duchess of Cambridge has been seen in public since late July, when she attended the America's Cup World Series in England. It marked her first royal engagement since giving birth to Princess Charlotte, her and William's second child and first daughter, who is now 4 months old. There, she wore her hair in a ponytail.

On Sunday, she wore her long brown hair pinned back, with long bangs framing the sides of her face.