Schoeman and Cummings to reach 50 caps in Nations Championship opener

Pictured: Scotland's Pierre Schoeman in action during a Quilter Nations Series match between Scotland and New Zealand at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, on 8 November 2025, in Edinburgh.

The British & Irish Lions pair both start in the pack for Scotland’s opening match of rugby’s newest competition, as Gregor Townsend’s squad prepare to take on Los Pumas in Cordoba this weekend.

Schoeman, who made his debut against Tonga in 2021, is joined in the front-row by Ewan Ashman and Elliot Millar Mills, the latter having started for Northampton Saints in their Gallagher PREM Final victory over Exeter Chiefs a fortnight ago.

Cummings runs out for his half-century in the engine room, after making his first appearance in 2019 against France and is joined by Jonny Gray to form an experienced second-row partnership.

The back-row is unchanged from the final round of the Guinness Six Nations back in March, as Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge line up either side of Jack Dempsey in the loose forwards.

Behind the scrum, Ben White wears the number nine jersey, whilst Tom Jordan starts at fly-half for Saturday’s showdown.

Sione Tuipulotu captains the side from inside centre, partnering Rory Hutchinson – another of Northampton’s title-winners – in the midfield combination.

An all-Glasgow Warriors back-three sees Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie selected on the wings, with Kyle Rowe rounding out the starting XV as he lines up at full-back.

A potential Scotland debut awaits Gregor Hiddleston on Saturday, after the Glasgow Warriors hooker was selected amongst the replacements for his first involvement with a senior Scotland matchday squad.

Hiddleston is joined by Glasgow Warriors team-mates Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson as the front-row cover, the latter set to win his 82^nd cap for his country should he come off the bench this weekend.

Alex Samuel provides cover at second-row as he prepares for his first Scotland appearance since November’s win over Tonga at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, whilst Gregor Brown and George Horne both return to action after recovering from injuries sustained in the closing stages of the BKT United Rugby Championship season.

Fergus Burke is selected amongst the replacements one year on from making his first start for Scotland on the 2025 summer tour, as Darcy Graham completes the matchday 23 set to run out in Cordoba.

Scotland team to face Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship at Estadio Mario Kempes on Saturday 4 July 2026, kick-off 8.10pm BST – live on ITV4 (caps in brackets):

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (17)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (33) – Vice Captain
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (11)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (38) – Captain
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (19)
10. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (17)
9. Ben White – Toulon (36)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (49)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (35)
3. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (14)
4. Jonny Gray – Perpignan (81)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (49)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (64)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (39) – Vice Captain
8. Jack Dempsey – Toshiba Brave Lupus (33)

Replacements

16. Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (48)
18. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (81)
19. Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (3)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (16)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (45)
22. Fergus Burke – Saracens (3)
23. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (55)