Gregor Townsend believes Saturday’s World Cup match against Romania is “absolutely” a chance for Scotland’s much-changed team to press their claim to face Ireland.

Following Sunday’s 45-17 victory over Tonga, the head coach made 13 changes, with only Kyle Steyn and Chris Harris remaining.

Grant Gilchrist will captain the team in Lille, while Hamish Watson, Luke Crosbie, Ben Healy, and Javan Sebastian make their debuts.

Johnny Matthews, an uncapped hooker who was recently called up, is one of the substitutes. The 30-year-old, who will fill in for Ewan Ashman, was drafted in after Stuart McInally, a late squad addition himself, sustained an injury.

A bonus-point victory would put Scotland four points behind group leaders Ireland before the two teams meet in Paris on October 7.

“Absolutely,” Townsend responded when asked about players pushing to face the Irish. “We have a lot of information on what players have done for us in the past, and players have been training well. We know the players are in really good physical shape, but the best way to influence selection is to go out there and play well.”