Scottish Rugby

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Australia head coach Joe Schmidt says that the current Scotland team is the strongest he will have faced in his time in international rugby.

Schmidt coached Ireland to seven wins and one defeat against Scotland in his eight years as the architect of the nation's rise, but feels that Gregor Townsend's side has now hit "the sweet spot" in terms of its maturity.

"Look, I'm permanently uncomfortable," he said when asked if the enormous praise his team has received after victories over England and Wales was making him feel a little uneasy. "I just know how good Scotland are and I know how good we're going to have to be.

"The balance they have across the board is really impressive. Obviously, Scotland have always had a really good back row.

"I've have seen a lot of Finn [Russell] over the years. Blair Kinghorn's been around for a long time. Some really good strike players. Duhan van der Merwe has been a standout, but Darcy Graham's been electric.

"Through the midfield, our punchy Australian skipper there, Sione Tuipulotu, or Scottish as he is now. He's done super and is pretty well known to our boys and Huw Jones is a guy who's elusive and brings a real experience to the midfield as well. So it’s pretty hard to pinpoint a weakness."

Schmidt also spoke about his sole loss to Scotland in 2017, after which Schmidt said the team bus taking them to Murrayfield arrived late, thereby compromising their pre-match routine.

"We were a bit late arriving that day," he smiled. "I'll never forget saying to [then Scotland head coach Vern Cotter], who's a great mate of mine, that we've only got 26 minutes to warm up and he said: 'People are useless, I said give them 20 (minutes)'.

"Scotland started really well and then Greig Laidlaw kicked a couple of goals at the end.

"Funnily enough, Greig is coaching Samu Kerevi and I was just talking to Greig the other day. He's a top man."

Schmidt is not expecting things to be much easier at Murrayfield this time around.

"Scotland play a fantastic brand of rugby," he said. "They're quick. During the World Cup, outside of the All Blacks, they played with more width than any other team. So you've got to be good across the field."

Scotland will have to be good in every department if they are to halt Schmidt and his born again Wallabies.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend says he sees similarities in the evolution of Australia under Joe Schmidt and the Kiwi's successful period in Ireland.

Schmidt won back-to-back European Cups with Leinster before taking over the Ireland job and leading the country to three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018.

After taking charge of the Wallabies following last year's Rugby World Cup - where they failed to progress beyond the pool stage - Schmidt endured a difficult Rugby Championship in which his side finished bottom of the table and suffered a record Test defeat, 61-22 against Argentina.

However, victories over England and Wales this autumn have raised expectations that Australia are reemerging as a force as they prepare to face Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Sunday.

"It's very similar to how he built a successful period with Leinster and Ireland in particular," Townsend said of Schmidt.

"There's a lot of focus on the contact area. He selects players that are really good in the contact area throughout the 15. They obviously spend a lot of time on it so their ball presentation and speed of ball is a big thing that drives them.

"They also have a similar model of defending. There are always a few special plays as well that Joe will bring out and we've seen a couple of them already so we've got to be on our toes for that. When you couple that with the quality that Australia have, they've got some really good players. They always have.

"There's a lot of depth in Australian rugby, whether that comes from the club game or players that are playing in Super Rugby. Now they've got confidence, you can see the quality coming through even more."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has been talking to the media before Sunday's Autumn Nations Series match against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Here is the best of what he had to say:

• His Ireland team beat Scotland in seven out of eight meetings but Schmidt says "this is the strongest Scotland I've seen, now hitting the sweet spot in their maturity".

• He says he identified weaknesses in previous Scottish teams but it's harder to do this time.

• Australia getting praise for wins over England and Wales doesn't matter to hi,. "I'm permanently uncomfortable" as a coach, he says.

• Said he has joked over the years with Vern Cotter - his mate and the then-Scotland coach - about the one time Schmidt lost to Scotland in 2017 when the Irish bus was late to arrive at Murrayfield.

• Schmidt revealed he met recently with former Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, who coaches Australia centre Samu Kerevi in Japan. Kerevi is suspended for this weekend's game.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been talking to the media before Sunday's Test match against Australia.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Townsend expects Australia will be full of confidence after wins over England and Wales.

• Says there is "confidence mixed with frustration" over the loss against South Africa, and says they want to "at least" match that performance level against the Wallabies.

• ⁠Sees a lot of similarities between what Joe Schmidt did with Ireland and what he's now doing with Australia.

• Insists it is important to round off the autumn campaign with a victory and take momentum into next year's Six Nations.

• ⁠Has picked Jamie Ritchie to start for his experience and aerial ability which Townsend believes will be important on Sunday.

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Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has made six changes to the side that convincingly beat Wales last weekend in the Autumn Nations Series for Sunday's match against Scotland.

Harry Potter, 26, will make his Wallabies debut on the left wing at Murrayfield, while captain Harry Wilson returns at number eight.

Carlo Tizzano also returns in the back row, and Jeremy Williams is the other alteration in the forward pack, joining La Rochelle's Will Skelton in the second row.

Rugby League convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is selected in the centres after a magnificent debut in Australia's win over England earlier this month, and Jake Gordon is recalled at scrum-half.

Samu Kerevi is suspended after his red card against Wales.

"The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation," Schmidt said.

"The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They're cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday."

Australia XV to face Scotland: Wright, Kellaway, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter, Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Williams, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson.

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Jorgensen.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

In his time in Ireland, Joe Schmidt became something of a slayer of the Scots. As Leinster coach, he won 75% of his games against Glasgow and Edinburgh. As Ireland coach, he won seven out of eight, or 87.5%.

The one Test he lost against Scotland was busgate in 2017 when Schmidt alleged SRU chicanery after Ireland's transport supposedly didn't turn up on time to take them to Murrayfield, a slight delay that apparently fried the brains of those well-known psychological weaklings Tadhg Furlong, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray and Rob Kearney.

The bus thing was a weird aberration for Schmidt and one he'll be reminded of this week. He's back in Scotland now as coach of Australia. Gregor Townsend’s team take on the Wallabies on Sunday in what could be a riot of a Test between two sides built on flamboyant attack.

Schmidt inherited a shambles this year, then stumbled his way through the Rugby Championship, finishing bottom. In playing such mesmeric rugby in victory over England and then putting up a record score against an admittedly lamentable Wales, Schmidt's magic seems to be working earlier than anybody thought it would.

And magic is the right word. In his time with Leinster, Schmidt won two European Cups, one European Challenge Cup and one Pro12. His Ireland team won the Six Nations in 2014 and 2015, beat New Zealand for the first time in 2016, won away to South Africa for the first time also in 2016 and secured a Grand Slam, a first series win in Australia in nearly 40 years and a second Test win over the All Blacks all in 2018.

Schmidt is one of the most compelling coaches the game has known. He spent a decade in Ireland and to the public he was charming, thoughtful, soft and cuddly. A national treasure. To his players, he was brilliant, ruthless, unbelievably intense and incredibly demanding. Only his players saw this side of him, the other Joe.

Ireland under Schmidt were possession monsters who inflicted death by phases. His Australia team is different. The style is slightly more rapier and less bludgeon, but he's got the firepower to mix it up.

It's interesting to look back on the things his Ireland players said because some of the Australia players are hinting at the same things now.

"He's like a constant voice in your head," said Johnny Sexton. "I learned pretty early that Joe had eyes in the back of his head," said Tommy Bowe.

"We were playing Samoa in our first game under Joe and we were doing a video session a few days before," said Paul O’Connell.

"All these Samoans with incredibly long and hard to pronounce names, but Joe pronounced every name immaculately. I suppose it's his way of saying, 'I've done my job. I know these guys inside out and now it's your turn to do your job with the same level of detail.'"

Schmidt famously missed nothing. His attention to detail was microscopic.

Rugby in Australia has been under the cosh for close to two decades. Worrying amounts of debt, falling participation numbers, falling broadcast numbers, falling crowds, a world ranking that's fallen to eighth and an early World Cup exit last year.

It's only a tiny sample size but the last few weeks under Schmidt have revealed some light at the end of that long tunnel.

Getting him was a coup. He performed miracles in Ireland. Is he on his way to doing the same with the Wallabies? We'll learn more on what should be a special Sunday at Murrayfield.

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Scotland cap Damien Hoyland has returned to Edinburgh on a "short-term" deal, the club have confirmed.

The 30-year-old made more than 100 Edinburgh appearances in a nine-year spell before leaving for the United States in 2023, joining Major League Rugby side Old Glory DC.

The back-three player is now back training with the Edinburgh squad and available for their upcoming games, starting with the URC visit of Benetton on 30 November.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Michael asked: If a player becomes eligible to play for a country through the residency rule, shouldn't they become ineligible if they move to another country?

Tom answered: That's a really, really interesting question and not one I'd thought about before. I think I'd be in favour. If you qualify on the residency rule you're only allowed to play while resident in your adopted country.

Let's tease it out with Duhan van der Merwe as an example. He was offered massive money by Worcester a few years back. His decision, in this scenario, would be to take Worcester's money and halt his international career or turn down the extra cash to protect his Test status.

We would have found out how important playing for Scotland is to him if that rule was in place back then. As we know, he went and then came back.

I'm sure Gregor Townsend would hate the rule because if the Tom Jordans and the Van der Merwes take the money he would lose them from his squad. Brilliant question that contains a fascinating dilemma.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Steven asked: Who do you have as Scotland's first choice pairing at lock? We've seen a lot of change here over the years with no one commanding a regular spot, and how much is this affecting our lineouts? Based on what I've seen our poor lineout form is as much to do with the jumpers/lift as it is the throws from the hooker.

Tom answered: We had a chat about this on radio after the Portugal game. Scotland lost five lineouts that day. It was a pack that had never played together before, so you have to factor that in, but it's an issue for sure.

Losing Richie Gray was a blow because he was Scotland's best lineout forward, as well as being a huge man. In fairness, at his age, he probably only had another season left in him anyway.

I asked the Scotland management about Jonny Gray's availability for the Six Nations but they didn't know his status.

Of the ones definitely available I'd probably go with Grant Gilchrist (knowledgeable people keep telling me he's vital to the lineout) and Scott Cummings, but Max Williamson is coming up on the rails now and it'll be neck and neck before very long.

There are some good young ones now. Alex Samuel and, if he can get himself fit, Cameron Henderson are both excellent prospects. I also want to see more of Ewan Johnson, who's only 25.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your Scottish rugby questions.

Ian asked: With both Ali Price and Tom Jordan leaving Scotland at the end of the season I worry, given the financial situation, that more may join them. Am I right to worry?

Tom answered: Losing Jordan to Bristol was a particularly sore one because I suspect if Glasgow were quicker on the draw they could have kept him without breaking the bank. I think he was one Scotland could have held on to as opposed to a Finn Russell or a Blair Kinghorn who were impossible to keep.

France is where the real money is these days. French rugby is a bit of an outlier in that it's in pretty rude health in a financial sense. I can see a few more going over there. Price, obviously. Duhan van der Merwe, too.

I don't think it'll be an exodus but there are good players in Scotland and they'll get offers. Some will be sad losses, others less.

I think right now, Van der Merwe would fall into the latter category. Edinburgh don't get enough out of him to justify what will be a major spend. They might be better off using the money to strengthen in a couple of positions.

In one sense, players leaving is grim news because the better these guys do the harder it will be for Glasgow and Edinburgh to keep them. In another sense, it frees up space for younger ones to come through. It's the circle of rugby life.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Mosese Tuipulotu says his first appearance in Scotland colours will be "pretty emotional" after his grandmother paid a surprise visit from Australia to cheer on him and brother Sione this weekend.

Glasgow centre Sione will captain Scotland in their final Autumn Test against Australia on Sunday, while Mosese will get his first taste of international rugby for Scotland A against Chile on Saturday.

The brothers had been unaware their grandmother Jaqueline Thomson had flown from Australia for the matches and she surprised the pair at the national stadium earlier this week.

"It was actually a massive surprise just because me and my brother didn't know anything about it," Mosese said.

"They did pretty well to keep it under wraps, but it was a pretty emotional one also just because when I left back home to say goodbye and move over here for rugby, you never quite know when you're going to see your family again.

"It was a very special moment just to see my gran again."

Mosese has relished his first involvement with the Scotland set-up this month, and admits he has seen a new side of Sione in his role as national team captain.

"It's quite strange just because, you know, he's my brother," he said.

"You're so used to hanging out with him outside of rugby and mucking around with him, but I've seen kind of a different side of him in here.

"Just the level of leadership he's shown has been pretty huge. I guess I've kind of learned a bit off him both on and off the field on how to conduct yourself as a professional."

Matt Taylor, a former defence coach for Scotland and Australia, give his prediction for Saturday's meeting at Murrayfield.

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A Scottish derby between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors kicks off the 2024-25 Celtic Challenge next month.

The match at Hive Stadium on Friday, 20 December (19:35 GMT) opens the cross-border competition that features six teams, including Ireland's Wolfhounds and Clovers plus Welsh sides Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder.

The format has been expanded to 10 rounds of games this year - the third edition of the tournament - with teams now playing each other home and away.

The reverse fixture between the Scottish sides takes place at Scotstoun on 15 February.

Edinburgh placed second in the six-team group last season, while Glasgow finished bottom without a win.

All the Celtic Challenge fixtures., external

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Australia centre Samu Kerevi is out of Sunday's Autumn Test against Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield after being given a three-game ban for a dangerous tackle in the win over Wales.

Kerevi, who made his 50th Test appearance for the Wallabies at the Principality Stadium last Sunday, was initially yellow carded for foul play on Wales' Jac Morgan before it was upgraded to red early in the second half.

The red card was upheld when the 31-year-old appeared before an independent three-member disciplinary committee on Tuesday.

The committee imposed a six-week mid-range ban on Kerevi, later reduced to three weeks due to mitigating circumstances.

"In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors such as his clean disciplinary record, his remorse and good conduct, they have applied the full 50% reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches," a statement said.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Matt Currie says the Scotland A squad are "loving" working under head coach Pete Horne as they gear up to face Chile.

The Edinburgh centre made his home Test debut against Portugal last weekend and will get another chance to don a Scotland jersey when the shadow national team take to the field at Hive Stadium on Saturday.

Currie will start in the less familiar position of wing and will hope to replicate his try-scoring appearance for the Test Scotland side in their victory over Chile in Santiago in July.

And he says working under Horne, who is combining his coaching duties with the national team while also leading the A squad, has been a valuable experience.

"Pete's great," Currie said. "It's not long since he stopped playing and he definitely brings that energy and creativity to his role, which I enjoy.

"Our attack hopefully looks pretty exciting in the games. I think he's a massive part of that, what he brings, that creativity.

"He's diligent in what he does as well. He's there for the boys and we all love his coaching style."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Head coach Pete Horne says the internationals he has selected to play for Scotland A against Chile on Saturday have responded "brilliantly" despite being overlooked for the national team's showdown with Australia on Sunday.

The likes of Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie and Jamie Bhatti would have been in contention to take on the Wallabies in Scotland's final match of the Autumn Nations Series, but instead will play for the shadow national side at Hive Stadium the day before.

"Those three especially will have been desperate to be involved against Australia," Horne told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"It wouldn't be right if they weren't. They've got every right to be disappointed that they're getting ready to play against Chile, but then we just flipped it on how we use that as an opportunity.

"These guys have got a chance to show the coach, he's made a mistake, actually we should have been playing on Sunday.

"So if you leave a lasting impression on Saturday there's a chance that come Six Nations, 100% we will still be talking about how guys performed in this match."

Saturday's match will be viewed as a curtain-raiser for the main event at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Sunday, but Horne has challenged his team to deliver a performance that gets people talking.

"I think any time the A team are playing, it's normally always a really good home crowd," said Horne, who is combining his head coach role with assisting Gregor Townsend with the full Scotland squad this autumn.

"It's a little bit more personal, isn't it? A little bit closer to the action. It'd be brilliant if we can all turn up and get a really good crowd for them.

"Just because we're the support act this weekend, there's no reason that we can't steal the show and have everyone talking about our game and our performance. That's what we're selling to the boys."