Scotland Team To face Fiji

10/31/2024 11:52 AM

After being named as squad captain last week, Sione Tuipulotu will lead Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the first time this weekend against Fiji.

Despite only having home-based players available, there’s an impressive backline available with Adam Hastings managing Huwipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe (top try scorer) and Darcy Graham (not far behind).

Normally you wouldn’t see this lineup for an out of window test, but some of the big names in this team perhaps need to find some form ahead of South Africa?

Kyle Rowe of course has bags of form for Glasgow and he’s the chosen fullback. Meanwhile Ali Price starts for Scotland for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final group game against Ireland.

In the forwards again there are a lot of names bigger than would usually grace this sort of Autumn match. Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman combine at prop, with presumably first-choice Ewan Ashman starting at hooker.

Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second row, while Glasgow’s URC-winning back-row of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey round out the pack.

Dylan Richardson is eligible to play following approval from the Sharks and has been named on the bench, aiming to make just his second appearance at Murrayfield since his debut in 2021.

Max Williamson, Gregor Brown and Jamie Dobie were all involved in the summer tour and are on the bench alongside Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall.

Now eligible for Scotland on residency grounds, Tom Jordan will be eying his Scotland debut having been on form for Glasgow Warriors, featuring in every game of Warriors' URC-winning 2023/24 campaign, making his 50th appearance in the final.

Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, D'Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall.

Fiji: Ravula; Karawalevu, Vota, Tabuavou, Loganimasi; Muntz, Lomani; Hetet, Ikanivere (capt), Tawake, Nasilasila, Rotuisolia, Derenalagi, Salawa, Canakaivata.
Replacements: Dolokoto, Natave, Koroiduadua, Vocevoce, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Valetini, Nalaga.

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