Scotland fuel up on Saffas for Fiji duel

10/31/2024 02:18 PM

Three SA-born Scotland internationals have been included in Gregor Townsend's match-day 23 for Saturday's clash against Fiji at Murrayfield.

Loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and left winger Duhan van der Merwe both start, while hooker Dylan Richardson is in line to earn his fourth Test cap off the bench.

Meanwhile, Darcy Graham will make his first Scotland appearance in over a year after being included in the starting XV.

The wing has not played for the Scots since their Rugby World Cup defeat by Ireland in Paris in October 2023, but will start this weekend after featuring in five of Edinburgh's six matches so far this season.

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With the exception of Richardson, the match-day 23 is entirely made up of Edinburgh and Glasgow players as this Test falls outside World Rugby's designated window for November internationals.

Clubs outside Scotland are not obliged to release players for this match, so Toulouse fullback Blair Kinghorn, Toulon scrumhalf Ben White and Bath flyhalf Finn Russell are all unavailable.

In their absence, Kyle Rowe will start at 15, with Adam Hastings at 10 and Ali Price at 9.

Glasgow centre Sione Tuipulotu will lead Scotland for the first time since being appointed captain.

Rowe, who will make his seventh Test appearance, is the only player in the run-on side selected by Townsend with fewer than 10 caps.

Photo: Chris Tanouye/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby

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