- New Scotland coach Gregor Townsend heads a strong Scottish touring squad
- Clash of top Northern Hemisphere sides to pave the way for other Tier One nations to play here
- Test match is first in a series of internationals in the build-up to 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup
- Adult tickets start from SGD 20 (booking fees apply)
SINGAPORE - Hot on the heels of three exciting Super Rugby matches and the 2017 HSBC Singapore Rugby 7s, Italy and Scotland will scrum down for a titanic tussle on June 10 at the National Stadium, providing a fitting season-ending finale to rugby in the Lion City.
The clash between the Italian Azzurri, ranked 15th in the world, and the 5th placed, Scottish Bravehearts is the first ever international to be played in South East Asia between two Tier One rugby nations. This game also marks a remarkable milestone for rugby Singapore which now boasts international Test matches alongside world-class club rugby and a key leg of the world’s elite rugby sevens tournament.
Both European teams arrive in Singapore this weekend, and will spend a week acclimatising, training and more importantly, engaging with the local businesses and conducting clinics for budding rugby talents.
Forty-six children from Italian and Scottish families resident in Singapore have been selected as child mascots to walk out with the players on to the hallowed National Stadium turf, and stand with the teams for the national anthems before kick-off.
The Embassy of Italy, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, the UK High Commission, Scottish Development International and the St. Andrew’s Society are all backing the Test match and lending a hand in the promotion. The match is set to be televised around the world, especially back to Italy and Scotland at lunchtime. A sizeable media contingent from several rugby-following countries is expected to converge in Singapore for the event next week.
A strong Scottish squad, led by new coach Gregor Townsend, expected in Singapore
“It’s exciting to be able to play in a unique stadium and the fact that it’ll be Scotland’s first International there will make for a great occasion,” said Townsend to Rugby World. “I’ve not been to Singapore before but I know a number of players are looking forward to not just the stadium but the island as a whole, having heard so many good things about it.
“Playing Italy in Singapore will be a very different prospect from taking them on in Edinburgh or Rome, and it will be a challenge for both teams to adapt to the new surroundings. Italy are a team we know well and we can expect it to be a very competitive match. It will provide us with the ideal opportunity to get our game into place on the way to playing Australia and Fiji as part of our summer tour.”
Italy counting on fans support for a ‘home’ win
Italy last toured in Asia three years ago, when they lost narrowly 23-26 to Japan. This time, they are relishing the runout against Scotland in Singapore as the designated ‘home team’. The Italian expatriate community and many neutral fans will no doubt be rooting for a strong showing from the Azzurri.
Italy has beaten Scotland eight times in twenty-seven encounters, most recently at Murrayfield in 2015, but have had a tough Six Nations campaign, running Engalnd close at Twickenham. Last June, the Azzurri won Tests in USA and Canada, and most famously downed the Springboks in November.
“We can’t wait to take the field in Singapore, which is a new and thrilling challenge for Italy in the Test arena,” said Italian coach Conor O’Shea, on what is a designated ‘home’ fixture for Italy. “There is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to prepare this group for the challenges ahead. We are also making changes within our system which we feel will benefit Italian rugby both in the short and long term, but no one is under any illusions about the task ahead.”
He added: “The goal for this group of players on tour is to ensure we execute and start taking the opportunities that we have undoubtedly had. Once we do that, and play with the intensity and focus that we aspire to, we will become the team that we and our supporters desire.”
Kiwi referee Paul Williams has been given charge of officiating the Singapore Test match.
First of world-class Test matches
The Italy-Scotland clash is one several exciting Test matches happening in June across the Asia Pacific region. Ireland are also touring Asia and will play a two-Test series against Japan. Fiji takes on the Wallabies as well as Scotland and Italy after their trip to Singapore, Samoa face Wales and New Zealand, while Tonga goes head-to-head against Wales.
This will be Scotland and Italy third encounter on neutral soil – Scotland won 18-16 in Saint Etienne (2007) and 30-29 in Pretoria (2013) but Italian and neutral fans will be hoping for a reversal in Singapore.
“This is a precursor to many more world-class matches here at the Singapore Sports Hub which has now developed an enviable reputation internationally,” said Singapore Rugby Union’s President, Low Teo Ping.
“As we edge closer to 2019, when Japan hosts the Rugby World Cup, there will be more teams wanting to stop over in Singapore and play here. We have excellent infrastructure in place - from world-class hotels, excellent transport system, state-of-the-art sports science and training facilities, and a marvellous stadium. Once international teams and players start coming here to play, Singapore will develop even greater recognition as a hub for rugby in Asia.”
Tickets for this one-off Test Match are still available. Premium tickets are priced at S$80, while Category 1 and 2 adult tickets are available for S$50 and S$20 respectively. Under 18s get a 50% discount on tickets for Category 1 (S$25) and Category 2 (S$10), while 12-s tickets cost S$1 only. A small booking fee applies on all tickets.
To purchase your tickets, visit www.sportshub.com/itavsco, while overseas fans can purchase them from www.stubhub.sg
The match is brought to you by Sport Sevens.
* photos courtesy of Rugby Singapore
