Scottish Rugby

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Scotland's opening Summer Test match against Italy on Friday - part of their preparations for next month's women's Rugby World Cup - will be shown live on BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer.

Bryan Easson's side travel to the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana on Friday, 25 July (kick-off 18:30 BST) before taking on Ireland at Virgin Media Park in Cork (Saturday, 2 August ) as they ramp up for their World Cup opener against Wales on 23 August.

Easson, who announced earlier this week he would be leaving his role as head coach at the end of the upcoming tournament, says these games will be "crucial in sharpening our focus" for the World Cup.

"Playing two high-quality teams, who pushed us hard during the Six Nations, away from home presents exactly the kind of competitive challenge we need at this stage," he added.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to put our systems under pressure and continue building cohesion within the squad. Every minute we spend together in this pre-season phase is invaluable."

Coverage will begin ten minutes before kick-off at 18:20, with former Scotland scrum-half Rachel Law joining Iona Whyte on commentary.

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"Gutted" Darcy Graham has confirmed his British and Irish Lions involvement has been brought to an abrupt end by the ankle injury he sustained just 17 minutes into his debut against the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

The Scotland winger was a late call-up to Andy Farrell's squad and stated on Monday his plans to "stay until the end" and work for a Test cap after being named as a starter on Tuesday.

His case was strengthened with an early try on his debut in Melbourne, where he showcased his burst of speed, but just minutes after crossing the white line, the Edinburgh wing exited the field in tears.

By full-time, he was sporting a medical boot.

Graham has now taken to social media to confirm his - and many fans' - fears that the ligament damage has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.

The 28-year-old said it was "16 minutes he'll never forget" and that he will "try again in four years time".

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"There's nothing worse than leaving a tour midway through it."

Former Scotland centre Scott Hastings knows how it feels to have a British and Irish Lions tour cut short by injury.

A serious facial injury ended the 60-year-old's tour back in 1993, and he watched countryman Darcy Graham go through the same pain on Tuesday.

The Scotland winger scored an early try on his Lions debut in the win over First Nations and Pasifika, but he went off injured not long after and looked emotional as he left the field and has now confirmed his tour is over.

Reacting to that blow, and reflecting on his own experience, Hastings told BBC Scotland: "It looked as though he'd really done his ankle ligaments badly and I think he knew he was resigned to leaving the tour.

"It's what happened to me in 1993, I broke my cheekbone, double hairline fracture on my jaw.

"There's nothing worse than leaving a tour midway through it. You want to represent the best. He got his chance, he scored a try, and now he'll be absolutely gutted."

On the performances of Graham's Scotland team-mates in the 24-19 victory, Hastings added: "On a positive note, Blair Kinghorn played reasonably well and Gregor Brown came off the bench to win a Lions badge of honour.

"It was great to see Duhan van der Merwe score a try as well. The Scots have done pretty well on this tour and Scott Cummings had a great game in the second row.

"He may well force himself into that matchday 23 for the second Test match."

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Glasgow Warriors will face English champions Bath in a pre-season game at The Rec on 6 September (15:00 BST).

Bath, whose team includes Scotland and Lions superstar Finn Russell, last season won their first league title since 1996 to complete a historic treble after also lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said: "We look forward to visiting The Rec in September to open our pre-season campaign as we face a Bath squad whose qualities are well known across European rugby.

"The success they earned in 2024/25 showcased their physicality in both attack and defence as well as their ability to cause problems for any side from any area of the field."

Smith's side face another English side - Northampton Saints - in a friendly at Scotstoun on 12 September and begin the new URC season at home to Sharks 14 days later.

Darcy Graham's Lions debut was short but sweet.

The 28-year-old wing was called up to the British and Irish Lions last Monday.

Graham showed his worth by scoring the second Lions try against the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

But 17 minutes into his debut, Graham, in tears, was forced to leave the field with what looked to be an ankle injury.

He was later seen walking around the pitch in a medical boot and is set to have a scan.

"He's devastated," said British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell. "But to become a Lion and score a try, he should be proud of himself."

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British and Irish Lions wing Darcy Graham says he wants to stay with the squad until the end of the tour in Australia.

The 28-year-old, who was a notable omission from the initial touring party, was called up to Andy Farrell's squad last Monday and will make his Lions debut against First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.

Scotland's Graham, who will start in Melbourne on the right wing, is joined in the matchday squad by fellow late call-ups Jamie George and Jamie Osborne in the starting team, while Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson and the latest call-up, Gregor Brown, all fill the bench.

Assistant coach John Dalziel has admitted some of recent call-ups that are helping to protect the Test team could fly home after the game on Tuesday.

"It is awesome and something I have dreamed about my whole career," Graham said.

"It has been an emotional rollercoaster to get to this point but we are finally here. Open those doors and let me out on that pitch.

"It was about staying emotionally involved in the Lions and watching the games to see how all the Scottish boys are getting on.

"I was buzzing for them but watching it and not being involved is hard.

"When Ben White got called up [earlier in the tour], I was delighted for him but gutted to miss out again. To get that call was a dream come true."

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The Edinburgh winger travelled from Auckland to Brisbane last week in time for first Test preparations, while his international team-mates Ashman, Sutherland and Brown all flew out after beating Samoa on Friday.

Having that extra time with the squad has motivated Graham to perform and stay on tour.

The Lions play the second Test against Australia on Saturday at Melbourne Cricket Ground, before the final Test in Sydney.

"I got the call and had about an hour and a half to two hours to pack my stuff and get to the airport and try to get visas sorted, which were a nightmare," he added.

"We finally got it sorted at the last minute before boarding and got out straight away.

"I was glad I did as I got two days training to spend time with the boys and really settle down, it made a huge difference.

"I feel a huge part of the squad and don't want it to end. I want to be here to the end now I've been in.

"After that game on Saturday, I was like 'I want a jersey, 'I want a cap, I want to play'. Now I am going to get that opportunity and I want to go out there and stay until the end.

"This is the last chance for boys to put their hand up for Test two and three, so there is that bit of added pressure."

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Head coach Gregor Townsend is "sad to see" Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy leave for Wales, but insists it's a role he "deserves".

After much speculation, Tandy has been announced as Warren Gatland's successor as Wales head coach.

Tandy joined Scotland ahead of the 2020 Six Nations and has played a key role in the developing Scotland's defence into "one of the best in the world".

"We're sorry to see Steve go because he's had a really positive influence on Scottish rugby," Townsend said.

"Firstly, with the players that he's worked with and developed, and secondly the work he's done with the team, turning them into one of the best defensive sides in the world. As coaches we have loved working and learning from him.

"He has helped me massively in my role and he's been someone I've leaned on for advice. We've worked together on various ways of improving the environment and the team over the years.

"It'll be sad not having him with us anymore but it's also a massive honour for him to become the head coach of his home country.

"It's very deserved as he's an excellent coach with varied experiences including international rugby for the last five years and we wish him all the best."

Lauren Jenkins
BBC Sport in Melbourne

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Centre Sione Tuipulotu says he returns to his home city Melbourne with a chip on his shoulder going into the second British and Irish Lions Test with Australia on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who scored the Lions' opening try in a 27-19 first Test win over the Wallabies in Brisbane, started his career at Melbourne Rebels but chose to play his rugby away from Australia after struggling to nail down a regular starting spot.

Following a move from Japan to Glasgow Warriors in 2021, Tuipulotu opted to represent Scotland, who he is eligible to play for through his grandmother.

"If you had asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say yeah, it's personal," Tuipulotu said.

"There's still a chip on my shoulder. What has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder. But in terms of me being bitter about Australian rugby, not at all.

"I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne. It wasn't a selector problem, I wasn't good enough, that's plain and simple.

"I owe everything to Scottish rugby because they've made me the player that I am today.

"Now I get the chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series. The stars have aligned for me and I feel very grateful."

The Scotland captain watched the Lions Test series with Australia in 2013 with his brother Mosese, who plays his rugby in Scotland with Edinburgh.

''My little brother, Mosese, was flag-bearer for the game. It was pretty cool man. It's crazy that 12 years later I'm playing in one of these Test games," he added.

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We asked for your views on whether Scotland's summer tour should be regarded as a success or a failure.

Here's what some of you said:

Abigail: I don't think it can be classed as a success without the win in Fiji. However, I do believe the players on the tour will have learned a lot during their game time. The players built strong cohesion to end the tour and some players really stood out for Scotland selection, which is the ultimate aim. Especially Jamie Dobie, Andy Christie, Fergus Burke, Gregor Brown, Kyle Rowe, Ben Muncaster and Ollie Smith.

George: Yes, it was a success because of the amount of first-team players who were missing. They did great against Samoa.

Bernard: No, it's been a failure. We couldn't find our game against Fiji and got beat for it. Winning against Samoa isn't getting us into the top-six rankings, which means another group of death in the next World Cup. Gregor Townsend's time is up.

Jake: The Fiji game was billed as crucial to our World Cup seeding so the success of the tour can only be judged on this game. We once again showed a complete inability to perform when it really matters; characteristic of Townsend's tenure as head coach. The only way the tour could be judged a success is if the higher-ups at the SRU finally see sense off the back of this fresh failure and remove Townsend.

Kev: I'm counting the performance of the Dobie-Burke combination as a success. They looked class against Samoa, with the creative emphasis taken on by Dobie while Burke attacked the line with solid skill. Of course the Fiji result is not ideal, but the exposure of the wider squad to test match rugby is a plus. Christie and Fin Richardson also looked up to speed and offering something to be hopeful for in the future.

Stuart: The Scots did their job well against Samoa. Ewan Ashman had a good game, his first for a while. Arron Reed and Rowe connected well, as did Burke in the midfield. Fiji was a disaster but a good look at the talent coming through. Townsend has done well. The players let him down badly last week.

Tam: Scotland still lack the killer instinct when they are ahead of teams. It's something which has not been addressed. We are able to fight back great and hold out wins here or there, however there is a lack of cutting edge, especially in second-half performances. Townsend says we showed character. We know we have that within us but it's taking teams to the sword which we lack.

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Gregor Townsend says Scotland showed their true colours against Samoa as they ended their summer tour with a commanding victory.

The Scots ran in seven tries in Auckland to bounce back from last week's loss against Fiji.

And Townsend was delighted with the performance.

"We had to defend really well at the beginning of the game," Townsend said.

"Samoa were direct and physical. We were really clinical in the 22, through direct carrying and good skills.

"It's hugely important [to bounce back]. You rise to a challenge and you show your true identity when you rise to a challenge.

"The players showed that. They were really aligned and focused on delivering a better performance."

Scotland ended their summer tour in style with a commanding 41-12 win over Samoa in Auckland.

What did you make of their victory? Who stood out to you?

And as Gregor Townsend's men head home with wins over Maori All Blacks and Samoa bookending the defeat by Fiji, has the tour been a success?

Tell us your thoughts here.

The latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast is now available.

George O'Neill is joined by former Scotland 7s international Colin Gregor and BBC Scotland's chief sports writer, Tom English.

They talk British and Irish Lions selection, with Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones all picked to start Saturday's first Test against Australia, Scotland's defeat by Fiji and their upcoming Test against Samoa.

Subscribe and listen to the episode in full.

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Scotland captain Rory Darge says he is feeling added responsibility as they try to finish their summer tour on a high.

Darge will lead out the Scots against Samoa in Auckland on Friday, determined to atone for their previous outing.

Scotland were beaten 29-14 by Fiji last week following an opening victory over Maori All Blacks.

With Finn Russell away on Lions duty, Darge has stepped up to take the captaincy on his own.

"It's something that I feel like I've enjoyed more and more, leading the team in some sort of way," the Glasgow flanker said. "And whatever way it is, I'm obviously happy to do it.

"Being given the honour of captain is something that I'll never take for granted. I'm just enjoying it, I'm enjoying the challenges of it as well.

"Obviously it was a frustrating performance last weekend and when you're the captain you maybe feel that more on yourself. It's something that I think I'm just starting to grow in.

"I suppose that's what makes last Saturday more frustrating. I don't think we really gave the tour justice and that's why this Friday is so important.

"It's been great from everyone involved. The connections that we've had and the quality time we've spent together.

"The time difference means that not a lot of people are up at the same time as you from back home. So your companions out here are the only ones you really spend any time with.

"It's great for us to spend that time together. That's what made last Saturday more frustrating. But it puts more pressure on us this Friday to give a performance that the tour deserves."