Price in 'best form' of Scotland scrum-half options

Price will win his 67th Scotland cap against Fiji on Saturday

Ali Price will make his first Scotland start in over a year against Fiji on Saturday, with head coach Gregor Townsend saying he is "in the best form" of the available scrum-half options.

Despite Edinburgh's poor start to the season, the 31-year-old has been given the nod ahead of Glasgow pair George Horne and Jamie Dobie, who will be among the replacements at Murrayfield

Toulon's Ben White is not available as the first of four November Tests falls outside the international window.

Capped 66 times, Price was first choice for Scotland until the end of 2022, but made just one appearance as a substitute during this year's Six Nations.

"We feel this year Ali's played really well when Edinburgh have gone well, the last two games in particular," said Townsend.

"George and Jamie are competing really hard with Ben, who will be available for us next week, so we see the four of them as all having their different attributes.

"We've gone for Ali because we believe he's in the best form right now. He looked really refreshed after having a summer off.

"Ali's a [British & Irish] Lion, he's a quality player. George and Jamie are quality players too, so we have really good depth at nine and Ali's got an opportunity this week."

Fit again after a spate of injuries, Edinburgh winger Darcy Graham will make his first appearance since the World Cup in October 2023.

Adam Hastings is given the nod at fly-half, with Tom Jordan in line for a debut from the bench.

The New Zealand-born 25-year-old has recently completed the five-year qualifying period and has enjoyed a strong start to the season at Glasgow Warriors.

"He brings an energy, an aggression to the game that's going to be slightly different to what you normally see at Test level at 10," said Townsend of Jordan.

"He's really worked hard on his basic skills, his fundamentals of kicking, kick-offs, passing. He's going to add something to our back line when he comes on."

Sione Tuipulotu will lead the team, having been chosen as captain for the November Tests, and he will once again be joined by centre partner Huw Jones.

In the absence of Toulouse star Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Rowe wins his eighth cap at full-back.

Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second row and Ewan Ashman is the starting hooker, while Glasgow trio Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey make up the back row.

D'Arcy Rae will be hoping to earn his second cap from the bench five-and-a-half years on from his Scotland bow.

"There's always a number of close calls," said Townsend. "There's depth and competition, but this is a settled side. There's combinations that have played a lot together for us and for their clubs and that's really important when you have your first Test match."

Fiji's last visit to Edinburgh was in November 2022, with Townsend's side recovering from a poor first half to win 28-12.

The visitors are without Waisale Nayacalevu (Sale Sharks), Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), Sam Matavesi, Semi Radradra (both Lyon) and Luke Tagi (Bayonne).

"Whatever team Fiji puts out, they're going to have terrific individual skills," said Townsend. "They're going to be very physical.

"They've been together for a while. Most of this team played in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, which included a 40-point win over Japan, so they're going to be a very cohesive and Test-ready unit."

Scotland & Fiji teams

Scotland: Rowe; Graham, Jones, S Tuipulotu (capt), Van der Merwe; Hastings, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Richardson, Sutherland, Rae, Williamson, Brown, Dobie, Jordan, 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.