Scotland’s Richie Gray attends a training session with teammates at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Oct. 8.Owen Humphreys/The Associated Press
Scotland's injury problems cleared up ahead of its Rugby World Cup game against Samoa, allowing flyhalf Finn Russell, fullback Stuart Hogg and flanker John Hardie to return to the starting team.
Russell, who is vital to the team's attacking game plan, is back after missing the 34-16 loss to South Africa with a sprained ankle, while Hogg – Scotland's most dangerous broken-field runner – is fit after hobbling off against the Springboks.
In the forwards, Hardie passed stringent return-to-play protocols after a head knock to return after missing the last two Pool B games. Hooker Ross Ford and centre Matt Scott were also selected for Saturday's game in Newcastle after being doubtful starters because of concussions.
It meant Scotland coach Vern Cotter was able to pick his strongest available lineup for a game the Scots probably need to win to secure second place behind South Africa and a quarter-final against the winner of Australia versus Wales, which is also on Saturday.
There are expected to be an estimated 100,000 Scots in the northern city of Newcastle – which is close to the Scottish border – for this weekend.
"We are playing the game as a qualifying game," Cotter said.
Samoa, which is out of contention for the quarter-finals following a loss to Japan on Saturday, is renowned for its physical style of play. Winger Alesana Tuilagi is suspended for the game after receiving a five-week ban for striking a Japanese player with his knee, while forward Faifili Levave was cited for playing an opponent without the ball but avoided further punishment and is available for Saturday.
Samoa coach Stephen Betham on Thursday said his team, as well as Tonga and Fiji, had been "tainted" this tournament because of their reputation for being overly physical during games.
"We were warned [about Pacific Islanders' indiscipline in previous World Cups] at the start," Betham said. "It's unfortunate that's the way we are seen. But it's not an excuse."
Having played for the Otago-based Highlanders in Super Rugby for the past seven years, Hardie is aware of the Samoan threat.
"They have got a really aggressive mindset when they defend. They love going really hard," Hardie said. "I haven't really seen any of their bad tackling. All I know is that they hit hard and they are really passionate boys.
"And they can play from anywhere, they can offload, they can run over you, they can do anything."
Considering his concussion problems the past two weeks, Samoa might not be the ideal opponent for Hardie's comeback.
Hardie missed Scotland's win over the U.S. Eagles and the loss to the Springboks after failing some in-depth test questions that make up part of the return-to-play protocol.
The flanker said it was frustrating to be on the sidelines.
"I've a couple of mates who have had head knocks and they have been really bad, so I treated it with a lot of respect," Hardie said. "One was [former All Blacks prop] Ben Afeaki, and he had to end up retiring. World Rugby now is so careful with this thing. You only get one head."
Samoa will be without captain Ofisa Treviranus, who has an ankle injury.