Scotland team: Finn Russell misses Fiji clash as star back makes long-awaited return and Sione Tuipulotu’s new role kicks in
October 31, 2024Newly appointed Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu will lead out the side on Saturday after head coach Gregor Townsend named his team to tackle Fiji at Murrayfield.
Townsend is without non-home-based stars such as Finn Russell so there is a chance for Adam Hastings to impress in the fly-half shirt, with Ali Price at number nine.
Glasgow veteran Tuipulotu will partner Huw Jones in the centre.
Duhan van der Merwe starts
On the wings, Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are reunited on the international stage while Kyle Rowe gets a start at full-back this weekend – Graham earning his first cap in 13 months after due to injury.
Moving into the Scotland pack and there is a powerful prop combination in the shape of Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman, with Ewan Ashman playing at hooker.
Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second-row.
WATCH: Duhan van der Merwe cops bizarre penalty following ‘push’ on South African referee
Further back it’s an all-Glasgow Warriors trio of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey in the back-row, who will be key as the Scots look to boss the gainline.
The bench sees Sharks hooker Dylan Richardson eligible to play the fixture following approval from his club side, with Rory Sutherland and D’Arcy Rae as the props.
Max Williamson played in all four of Scotland’s mid-year tour matches and will be looking to add to his tally, while Gregor Brown is the final forward replacement.
Scrum-half Jamie Dobie is joined by in-form Glasgow Warriors fly-half Tom Jordan and the 15th and final Warriors player in the matchday 23, Stafford McDowall.
Scotland team to face Fiji
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall
Date: Saturday, November 2
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield
Kick-off: 17:40 GMT
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
: Loose Pass: World Rugby ‘slaughters’ its cash cow with a ‘fast food World Cup’ and England star’s injury makes a ‘callous mockery’ of EPS contracts