Scottish Rugby

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland captain Rory Darge is relishing the opportunity to test himself against Fiji's "benchmark for physicality" in Saturday's Pacific Tour Test

The Glasgow Warriors flanker will lead the side out in Suva as head coach Gregor Townsend makes 14 changes to the line-up that began the tour with a hard-fought win over the Maori All Blacks last week.

The match is key to Scotland's hopes of climbing into the world's top six, which would ensure a more favourable draw in the pool stages for the 2027 World Cup.

"They (Fiji) are the benchmark for physicality, and we're on their patch in a place where not many if any of us have ever played rugby, so that's why it's exciting," the 25-year-old said.

"You want to go up against the best and ultimately that's why everyone plays this game.

"It's a great shared experience playing rugby in a place where there are such different challenges."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Head coach Gregor Townsend admits Scotland have one eye on the "bigger picture" going into Saturday's match against Fiji in their Pacific Tour.

Townsend has stressed the importance of the fixture, as well as the following game against Samoa as Scotland look to lock in a top-six ranking ahead of the draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia in December.

Currently ranked seventh, the Scots want to avoid a rough repeat of 2023 when they were grouped with two top nations - Ireland and South Africa - and failed to progress to the knockout stages.

"This is a one-off game in terms of our tour, but there is also the bigger picture and that is the World Cup draw in November," Townsend said.

"This is a very important game going into the Samoa Test, and also the Tests we have in November, to put ourselves in the best possible position to get into that top six."

After opening their Pacific Tour with a hard-fought 29-26 victory over Maori All Blacks in a non-cap match, Townsend has made 14 changes to his team for the Fiji encounter.

The head coach added the standard has now been set for what is expected for the rest of their Pacific Tour.

"I think the alignment with what we wanted in terms of the gameplan, the execution, the effort throughout the game – there was one sequence of play that lasted 29 phases in defence - the togetherness was brilliant," he added.

"Then also the skill to execute when it counted. The try before half-time, George's [Horne] second try had really good skill and support.

"It is what you hope and dream when you put a team out against such a tough opponent, but if often doesn't happen when new combinations come together, so it was really pleasing for everyone that they did play so well."

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Kyle Steyn is set to end an injury-plagued year away from international rugby in Scotland's clash with Fiji on Saturday.

After taking part in last summer's four-Test tour of the Americas, the Glasgow captain picked up two separate untimely injuries just before the Autumn Series and then the Six Nations.

The 31-year-old wing has fully recovered from his respective ankle and knee problems and is included to start in Suva.

"Jeez, almost coming up on a year," he said. "It's been some year, man. "If you'd told me a year ago I'd have to wait another year, I wouldn't have believed you.

"I'm just chomping at the bit after seeing the autumn and the Six Nations and the boys that are doing so well with the Lions and the boys that played on the weekend. I just can't wait.

"To pick up an injury the week before both is kind of funny to look back on now, because the odds on that can't be much.

"But then I think Cammy Redpath was saying he had a pretty similar case this season, so you're never alone.

"I was gutted with how it'd gone, but that's just the way the game goes. And at Glasgow, I think we all learned this year that injuries happen.

"So many of our boys seemed to pick up big injuries somewhere along the way. All those boys have bounced back really well, so I'm just kind of trying to follow in their stead and really looking forward to Saturday."

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Fergus Burke will make his Scotland debut in Saturday's tour match against Fiji in Suva.

The inclusion of the New Zealand-born Saracens fly-half, 25, is one of 14 changes made by head coach Gregor Townsend following last weekend's 29-26 win over Maori All Blacks in Whangarei.

Kyle Rowe comes in at full-back, with Darcy Graham, Cameron Redpath, Tom Jordan and Kyle Steyn making up the backs with Jamie Dobie, who partners Burke at half-back.

Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Elliot Millar Mills make up a new front row with Marshall Sykes retaining his place at lock and joined by Grant Gilchrist.

Jamie Ritchie, captain Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson fill the back row.

Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Darcy Graham, Cameron Redpath, Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Elliot Millar Mills, Marshall Sykes, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge (capt), Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: George Turner, Alec Hepburn, Will Hurd, Max Williamson, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Ollie Smith.

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British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell said Blair Kinghorn was "in good spirits" despite suffering a left knee injury in the Lions' win over the Brumbies.

Farrell said the full-back, who was replaced by Marcus Smith after 25 minutes in Canberra, was singing on the bed where the medical staff were assessing him.

The Scotland star initially tried to run off the injury, which happened when a Brumbies player landed on him.

The Toulouse back later appeared by the side of the pitch, and asked after the match if he feared the worst for Kinghorn, Farrell said: "No.

"Blair is in good spirits. He got a bang on the knee, he carried on for quite a bit but there was no need to keep him going.

"There is a bit of music there and he's singing away as he's being assessed, so we'll see how he comes through that.

"It's late, we have got an early flight in the morning and I don't know what the medical plan is, but we will get on top of that."

Ireland's Hugo Keenan and Marcus Smith are Farrell's other full-back options for the first Test against Australia on 19 July in Brisbane.

Keenan, 29, has only played once on tour after recovering from a calf injury and illness, while Smith - one of five try-scorers in the win over the Brumbies - prefers to play at fly-half.

Elliot Daly started the first two games in Australia at full-back before departing the squad because of a fractured arm.

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Scotland's Darcy Graham says learning of his British and Irish Lions squad omission while sitting with his family was "a cruel way to find out".

However, the disappointment "sets fuel on the fire" for the 28-year-old winger.

"It was disappointing not to get called up for the Lions," Graham said from Scotland's Suva-based training camp.

"I was watching with the family and it's a cruel way to find out. I'm disappointed not to be in, but it sets fuel on the fire for me.

"I'm just here to do my job and see what happens after that."

Despite his own disappointment, the Edinburgh wing says he was delighted for Scotland team-mate Ben White after his late call-up last week.

"I was buzzing for Ben," Graham added. "We were sharing rooms and I know how much he wanted it.

"To see the other boys in it is so special, and they've gone out and they've been awesome this campaign."

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Matt Fagerson has backed his big brother Zander to recover from the "big blow" of being ruled out of this summer's British and Irish Lions tour through injury.

The 29-year-old prop was named in Andy Farrell's squad in May while recovering from a calf injury sustained in April, but he had to withdraw last month after he reinjured it.

Fagerson was attempting to force his way into a first Test game after touring in 2021 but failing to appear in any Test series match against South Africa.

"I think he took it pretty hard," Matt, who is in Fiji with Scotland said.

"He had his injury before the squad was announced and he was over the moon (when named in the squad). He had been really diligent in his rehab and he was coming back to a really good place.

"Re-injuring it that was definitely a big blow for him, but he's old enough now to sort of realise there's some things he can't do.

"He did everything right, and these things happen, so I think he's come to accept that.

"He's just working away at home to try and get himself back fit and spend some quality time with the kids and his wife."

Matt has also been putting in the time to recover from ankle surgery in April, and has managed to "shave a few weeks off" his rehab to join up with Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for their summer tour of the South Pacific.

"When Gregor said that he was really keen for me to come on summer tour, that gave me a lot of purpose in what I was doing in my rehab," he added.

"That definitely drove me on, gave me something to hold on to."

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Scotland expect a "strong challenge" from Fiji in Suva on Saturday, says scrum-coach Pieter de Villiers.

Fiji shipped eight tries in a 57-17 loss at Murrayfield eight months ago, but were far from full-strength, while this time several key Scottish players are on tour with the British & Irish Lions.

Scotland opened their Pacific tour with a 29-26 victory over Maori All Blacks on Saturday, while Fiji ran Australia close in a 21-18 defeat on Sunday.

"Fiji are a good side currently and they probably have a stronger squad than when we played last time, just because they've got more players available to them," said De Villiers.

"We expect a strong challenge from them and that's what we're looking forward to.

"It will be important to match the physicality that they're currently bringing to opposition. I thought they did very well against Australia."

Glasgow forward Gregor Brown will miss out after suffering a concussion on Saturday, while Edinburgh back-row Ben Muncaster is recovering from a dead leg.

We asked for your views on Scotland's narrow win over Maori All Blacks in the first game of their summer tour of New Zealand.

Here's what some of you had to say:

George: A historic win that shouldn't be overlooked given the team we put out and played against. Defence at the end was gutsy, particularly given the harsh sin-binning. Should have been more ruthless in attack during the last 10 minutes and when they were down to 13. Some great attacking moves and we kicked from hand effectively, well worth the 04:30am wake up.

David: Scotland just made it over the line against the New Zealand Maori side but they gave up two easy tries by aimless kicking. Kicking just to get rid of the ball just gives the initiative away. When Scotland ran at the New Zealanders they created scoring opportunities, when they kicked the ball away aimlessly they were immediately under the cosh. When will they stop doing it?

Alan: Great performance by a Scotland side short on experience in some positions. Despite losing the early try, once they regained the lead, they never relinquished it for the next 74 minutes! The defence was magnificent at times, especially in that last punishing few minutes! No doubt about it, this is a result to be proud of.

Scott: This win should not be underestimated. A first win against a NZ representative side in senior 15s as well as on NZ soil; not only that, but with very much a development side. To a man each player must be proud of themselves. Gregor Townsend must take huge credit for this, developing these players and setting a marker now for hopefully getting the one last monkey off our backs and defeating the All Blacks themselves. Townsend out? No thanks.

Jim: For what was a largely second string, it was an outstanding performance from a young team, they stood up to some big bangs. The handling and defensive effort was brilliant and a pleasure to watch, let's hope the regulars keep the momentum going for the next two games. The starting front row were immense, on paper it looked a bit light, they not only held their own, they more than matched them.

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Scotland showed 'typical Scottish values' as they worked until the last whistle to record a historic victory over the Maori All Blacks, says scrum-half George Horne.

Having led by 17 points, the Scots were only up by three with the Maoris attacking their line in the final play, but they managed to turn the ball over and kick it dead to earn victory.

"It was unbelievable," Horne said. "We came into the game with quite a new team, a young squad, and we've come together really well in the last few weeks.

"To come together and put on a performance like that... it wasn't that pretty but we dug in and we showed typical Scottish values. To get the win at the end, to keep them out in the corner, was huge."

Horne was instrumental in the Scotland victory, starting and scoring two tries in his own typical fashion.

"Getting the chance to represent Scotland is everything for me," he added. "To cap that off with a win first and foremost, and to get over for a try is always nice. Just delighted.

"It just shows the character of the team. We defended for four or five minutes at the end there, gave away a few penalties, got a yellow card. That didn't phase us.

"We stuck to our system and it was massive moment with that big counter-ruck at the end, it just shows what we mean to each other and how much it means to play for Scotland."

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Huw Jones was the pick of the Scotland players in the British & Irish Lions win over New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

The outside centre touched down two tries in the 21-10 victory, but the overall performance of the side was somewhat laboured.

Both of Jones' scores came in the first half, the opener set up by Glasgow Warriors team-mate Sione Tuipulotu, giving the Lions a 14-0 lead.

Jones now has three tries on tour and his partnership with Tuipulotu was one of the few positives for head coach Andy Farrell.

Blair Kinghorn made his first appearance after his late arrival from Top14 champions Toulouse and was largely peripheral on the left wing before a switch to full-back early in the second-half allowed him to get more involved.

Pierre Schoeman impressed in the scrummage at loose-head prop and was solid in defence, while lock Scott Cummings started strongly but faded after being promoted from the bench following the late withdrawal of Henry Pollock.

Cummings, Kinghorn, Jones and Tuipulotu all played the full 80 minutes.

Duhan Van der Merwe, added to the squad in place of the injured Pollock, took over from Kinghorn on the wing and scrum-half Ben White got his first taste of the action for the final 10 minutes after being called up as injury cover earlier this week.

For those of you that got up early, or those of you that have now caught up, we want to know your thoughts on Scotland's first ever victory over the Maori All Blacks.

Have your say here.

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Gregor Townsend thinks his side's win over the Maori All Blacks put "a marker down" for the rest of the summer tour, as they prepare to take on Fiji and Samoa.

The Scots were pushed all the way in the uncapped international, dragging victory out of the fire with a huge defensive set to deny their hosts a late score.

"It's a marker put down from a group of players," Townsend said. "I was just so proud of the effort tonight, especially at the end of the game.

"That effort at the end - 28 or 29 phases in defence, a man down, defending your goal line... the players showed what playing for Scotland means for them."

Although they didn't win caps, Townsend handed debuts to three players - tighthead prop Fin Richardson, number eight Alex Masibaka, and Kiwi-born stand-off Fergus Burke.

"[Alex] has lit up our training sessions, he's got a real point of difference. I loved how confident he was today, taking quick taps, being physical in defence.

"[Fergus] was excellent when he came on, from a defensive point of view. Him and Jamie Dobie were two people really involved in that counter ruck that got us the ball back.

"Even though [Fin] is not getting a cap, that was a Test match today, up against a quality side. The front row did a really good job, grew in confidence as the job went on."

Up next for the Scots is Fiji in Suva, before a return to New Zealand where they play Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland.

"We know next week is a tougher challenge, we're playing a team ranked in the top 10 in the world, who've got unbelievable individuals throughout their side, playing at home in a lot warmer conditions than we had today," the head coach added.

"But it's a great way to start the tour and if we can see that effort, that physicality from the players next week, that alignment in how we want to play on this tour, then it should set us up."

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Stand-in captain Stafford McDowall believes Scotland "might have lost that game" in the past, as his side held on for a famous victory over a relentless Maori All Blacks side.

The Scots had a 17-point lead at one stage in the second-half but saw that gap close to just three points by the full-time whistle.

"Two teams chucking it all at each other for 80 minutes," was how McDowall described it. "You could see at the end, just from all the bodies.

"I'm just massively proud of the shift from the boys to dig in at the end against a real good team."

The Maoris had the visitors camped on their own line with the clock dead, but a huge defensive effort from Scotland turned the ball over and won the game.

"We talked at half time that we'd put ourselves in a good position to lead but we knew the Maoris would come back and chuck everything at us," McDowall added.

"They did that and we probably lost control for 20 minutes, and in the past we might have lost that game but proud of the boys for digging in and getting the job done."

The Glasgow Warriors centre, 27, skippered in the absence of tour captain Rory Darge who was rested before games against Fiji and Samoa.

"We looked at this first game as an opportunity to launch this tour off to a good start. We're really proud of the effort of the boys, but also it's just a privilege to play here against this boys in front of a packed crowd."

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Scotland scrum-half Ali Price has signed for French side Montpellier after leaving Edinburgh.

Price, 32, made his international debut in 2016 and has represented Scotland on 71 occasions.

He joined Edinburgh from Glasgow Warriors in 2023, but the capital club confirmed in April he would depart for an opportunity "overseas".

Price now moves to the Top 14, signing a deal until 2027.

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Stafford McDowall says "it'll be weird" facing former Glasgow team-mate Cole Forbes when Scotland take on the Maori All Blacks this weekend.

Forbes spent two-and-a-half years at Warriors and received a call-up for Scotland's summer tour squad in 2021, only for the games to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"He could easily be on this tour for us," said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

But, Forbes, who is back playing in New Zealand for the Auckland Blues, will instead line-up on the wing for the Maori All Blacks against the Scots in Whangerei on Saturday.

"It'll be weird facing up opposite him," said McDowall, who will captain the Scotland side.

"I'm good mates with him, so it'll be a really cool experience.

"The haka and everything that comes with that as well, getting to be on the other side from Cole will be a funny, but an unbelievable experience.

"I'm sure we'll put the friendships aside for 80 minutes and then we'll hopefully have a beer together afterwards."

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Gregor Townsend says no decision will be made over his future as Scotland head coach during the summer tour.

Scottish Rugby CEO Alex Williamson suggested last month he expected to have "really positive" conversations with Townsend when he accompanied the squad on the tour in New Zealand and Fiji.

But Townsend, whose current deal expires next year, says his sole focus is on preparing the side to face the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei on Saturday, rather than his own contractual situation.

"It's not something that tends to get discussed when we're in campaigns," he said.

"We don't have the time, really, and the focus is on making sure we prepare the team as well as we can this week and over the next two weeks.

"It's not something I've thought that much about. A lot goes into preparation for a tour and then on tour.

"There'll be plenty of time to discuss whether Scottish Rugby feel that they want me to continue and also what I want to do at the end of my contract. But it won't be something that will be decided over the next few weeks."