'I want to be here to the end' - Lions debutant Grahampublished at 13:50 21 July
13:50 21 July
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Image caption,
Darcy Graham is ready to stake a claim for Test spot
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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Graham has scored 31 tries for Scotland
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."
Townsend 'sad to see' Tandy leave for Walespublished at 12:05 21 July
12:05 21 July
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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."
'A chip on my shoulder' from Melbourne days - Tuipulotupublished at 15:03 20 July
15:03 20 July
Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport in Melbourne
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Image caption,
Sione Tuipulotu played at Melbourne Rebels from 2016–2019
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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Image caption,
Tuipulotu edged Ireland's Bundee Aki for a first Test starting spot at inside centre
Was Scotland's summer tour a success or failure?published at 12:03 19 July
12:03 19 July
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.
Listen to latest episode of BBC Scotland Rugby Podpublished at 18:05 17 July
18:05 17 July
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.
'Pressure on' Scotland after 'frustrating' Fiji defeat - Dargepublished at 14:08 17 July
14:08 17 July
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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."
Watch Samoa v Scotland live on BBCpublished at 11:10 17 July
11:10 17 July
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Scotland's summer tour comes to a close on Friday against Samoa in Auckland and the match is available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Build-up gets under way at 08:25 with kick-off at 08:35.
The Scots beat Maori All Blacks 29-26 in Whangarei but lost 29-14 to Fiji in Suva last weekend.
Gregor Townsend has urged his side to finish on a high after that disappointing reverse against Fiji.
"Tours are remembered in part by what you experience off the field but also by how well you play and the results you produce," he said.
Burke feels force of destiny in Scotland debutpublished at 23:18 15 July
23:18 15 July
Clive Lindsay BBC Sport Scotland
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Fergus Burke could earn his second Scotland cap in the land of his birth
New Zealand-born Fergus Burke feels like "it was meant to be" after making his Scotland debut in the southern hemisphere.
The 25-year-old Saracens fly-half was in Gregor Townsend's squad for this year's Six Nations, but it was not until Friday's 29-14 summer tour defeat by Fiji that he earned his first cap.
It could be quickly followed by a second against Samoa at Eden Park in the land of his birth on Friday and, not surprisingly, he has "a fair few people" chasing him for tickets.
"I've had a few messages from people I haven't heard from for a while, but I'll hopefully get a good contingent of support there and it'll be cool," Burke said.
"It is a weird one. Obviously I was in for the Six Nations but didn't get a crack, so it is almost like this was the way it was meant to be when I get my first opportunity so my family could actually be here."
Darcy Graham was sent off after a second yellow card while Ewan Ashman was also sin-binned in Suva and Burke thinks the Scots can perform better against Samoa if they improve their discipline.
"I think in parts of that Fiji game we showed how good we are as a team when we get it right, but we got our discipline wrong and ended up making a lot more tackles than we needed to," he said.
Burke expects "a similar challenge to Fiji" but hopes to spend less time on defence against Samoa.
"I think they are going to be a little more structured than Fiji was - Fiji was quite loose and the looser the game got, the better they got," he suggested.
"I've got a feeling Samoa are going to kick a little bit more. We know how important this game is and we are pretty focused on getting it right."
Burke ended the game playing at full-back after Adam Hastings' introduction.
"I wasn't expecting that, but I played a little bit of full-back when I was still in New Zealand at Crusaders, so I felt reasonably comfortable there and I enjoyed playing with Adam as well," he added.
"I thought it was good when he came on and we probably got our most attacking in that last 10 minutes with ball in hand."
Edinburgh & Glasgow learn Champions Cup pool fixturespublished at 13:53 15 July
13:53 15 July
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Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors have learned their fixtures for the pool stage of the 2025-26 Investec Champions Cup.
Glasgow have been handed a tough draw as they will face with three-time winners Saracens and record six-time champions Toulouse in Pool 1, with both sides set to visit Scotstoun.
The Warriors also face trips to Sale Sharks and Clermont Auvergne.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh also have a challenging group of opponents in Pool 2, with Premiership champions Bath, who won last year's Challenge Cup, joining Gloucester, Castres and three-time winners Toulon.
Edinburgh will host Toulon and Gloucester and travel to Castres and Bath.
'Super proud' Burke hopes Scots are more in tune against Samoapublished at 09:56 15 July
09:56 15 July
Clive Lindsay BBC Sport Scotland
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Image caption,
Fergus Burke could earn his second Scotland cap against Samoa
Fergus Burke will be hoping his rendition of "Eda Sa Qaqa" proves prophetic as the Saracens fly-half looks to fulfil his "burning desire" to recover from a debut defeat in a Scotland jersey.
The New Zealand-born 25-year-old chose the Fijian song, which translates as "We Have Overcome", as his initiation piece after Friday's 29-14 loss in the South Pacific island.
This Friday, he hopes to turn the tables on another rugby nation he knows well, Samoa, as Scotland end their summer tour at Ellis Park in the land of his birth.
"It was a super proud day for me and my family to get my first international cap for Scotland," he said.
"But obviously we didn't get the result we were after, so it was tainted a little bit and it was a weird one - I didn't know how to feel really.
"Immensely proud but got a bit of a burning desire to get the right result this week."
Burke said that, despite the defeat, it "was super special" to live out his childhood "dream", hearing "Flower Of Scotland" before the game and being presented with his first cap by captain Rory Darge.
"I even had to sing a song in the after-match, which was entertaining," he said.
"I wasn't expecting it at all. I wasn't given a heads up."
Explaining his choice of a hymn particularly associated with the Fijian rugby team, he added: "So I went for a Fijian song so the Fijian community could join in and help me.
"I think I did the first line of the song and then let them take over."
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