Sione Tuipulotu set to lead Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield

NICE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 24: Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu during a Rugby World Cup match between Scotland and Tonga and the Stade De Nice, on September 24, 2023, in Nice, France. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

With mostly just home-based players available due to the match taking place outside the international window, Sione will partner Huw Jones in the centre.

On the wings, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are named. In van der Merwe’s last match for Scotland he became the country’s top try scorer after touching down against Uruguay.

After an impressive Guinness Six Nations earlier this year and scoring two tries against Chile on summer tour, Kyle Rowe is named at full-back.

Ali Price makes his first start for Scotland since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final group game against Ireland, pairing up with former Glasgow Warriors teammate Adam Hastings.

In the forwards, the familiar sight of Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman combine at prop, with Ewan Ashman starting at hooker. Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second row.

A URC-winning back-row will start the match with Glasgow Warriors’ Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey all named.

Dylan Richardson is eligible to play the fixture following approval from his club side and he has been named on the bench, aiming to make his second appearance at Scottish Gas Murrayfield following his debut in 2021.

D’arcy Rae is back in the squad after impressing for Edinburgh and will look to add to his first cap that was gained in 2019 against Ireland.

Max Williamson played in all four Skyscanner Summer Tour matches and will be looking to add to his tally, from the bench. Gregor Brown and Jamie Dobie were also heavily involved on tour and they are selected in the matchday 23 along with Glasgow Warriors 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 team to play Fiji on Saturday 2 November 2024, kick-off 5.40pm at Scottish Gas Murrayfield – live on TNT Sports:

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (7)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (39)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (50)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (27) CAPTAIN
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (41)

10. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (30)
9. Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (67)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (34)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (19)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (67)
4. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (72)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (39)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (47)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (22) VICE-CAPTAIN
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (20)

Replacements

16. Dylan Richardson – The Sharks (3)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (33)
18. D’Arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby (1)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (4)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (3)
21. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (6)
22. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (5)