Scottish Rugby

After Scotland's record win against Fiji, and with South Africa on the horizon, we put some of your questions to chief sportswriter Tom English.

Rob asked: This might seem like a crazy question given his try-scoring record, but do you think Duhan van der Merwe could be even more effective for both club and country if the way he and the team around him play, was tweaked?

Tom answered: I think Duhan van der Merwe scores the tries he scores because of the way the team plays. I'm not sure you can set up the team any better for him and for Darcy Graham. Finn Russell is also keen to go wide with a pass or with the boot and I'm not sure I have ever seen a better passing 10 than him or, for that matter a 10 who is better at that kick-pass. He's unreal.

You have a midfield partnership who are very skilled at engineering space and then exploiting that space with a high skill-level. The big man gets lots of opportunities. I think he can work harder to get himself involved, but for him, this must be the dream team to play in. So much of the gameplan revolves around trying to get him into space.

Scott asked: What's the story behind how the autumn international fixture lists are arranged? Very much looking forward to Scotland v South Africa, but disappointed it was a ‘light’ summer tour, Portugal in this series line-up, and another year without playing NZ - only one meeting in seven years!

Tom answered: The SRU doesn't get to pick its opponents, but remember, in 2020 Scotland were due to have a summer tour which involved two Tests against the Boks and one against the All Blacks. COVID put paid to that. The new global rugby tournament starts in 2026 so there will be a lot of change when that happens.

Personally, I think these games against Tier Two nations are important for Scotland as they try to grow their Test player base.

Murdo asked: Has Ali Price played his last game for Scotland? The pace of our attack visibly increased when Jamie Dobie replaced him on Saturday and I think we'd have seen the same had George Horne been on the bench. Ben White is still our best 9.

Tom answered: No, he hasn't. Jamie Dobie was excellent when he came on but Ali Price played fine. I would have Ali fourth in the pecking order right now - Ben White, George Horne, Dobie - but he's far from finished at Test level. I think he had such a disappointing season last season he's worked really hard to get himself right for this season. I wouldn't write him off. No chance. Plus, Gregor Townsend really admires him, so he's very far from done.

After Scotland's record win against Fiji, and with South Africa on the horizon, we put some of your questions to chief sportswriter Tom English.

Steve asked: Not much seems to have been made of Adam Hastings' stellar performance against Fiji. Personally, I thought he had an incredible game. Do you see a realistic chance of him being selected in front of Russell, and if not, why not?

Tom answered: He was very good and we praised him on our radio coverage. He was really inventive, kicked well and led Scotland out of that tricky period that they had. It was great to see him back.

Will he be picked ahead of Finn Russell? I would say no chance. Russell is just that bit better at most things. He's playing brilliantly as well. It's a nice problem to have, as they say. You have to play your heaviest hitters against the Boks and Russell comes back in for me.

It'll be interesting to see if Hastings makes the bench. Tom Jordan, also excellent in his time on the pitch, covers 10, the midfield, and 15. He could play wing as well, I'd say. That, to me, should guarantee his place in the 23. As good as he was against Fiji, Adam might miss out in that scenario.

Patrick answered: How essential is a victory over the Boks for Toony, or is this a game where an improvement on previous results against the Boks is enough?

Tom answered: Well, I don't think it would ever be fair to describe Scotland beating South Africa as essential because it happens so rarely and, frankly, South Africa are way better.

It's fair to expect that Scotland fire lots of shots and make a brilliant game of it, which is what they categorically didn't do at the World Cup. The Boks did an absolute number on them. Scotland never got their attacking game out of neutral. The scoreline didn't reflect their superiority on the day.

So, a big, physical performance, some tries, a game that goes close to the wire. I don't think Scotland will win, but they need to give the Boks a scare.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad thinks the Springboks will be wary of Huw Jones at Murrayfield on Sunday, saying the Scotland midfielder is "one of the best centres in the world".

Talking to the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast, Skinstad added: "It's not often that you can say, 'let's pick 12 of the opposition players who can fit into a world champion team'. But I would look across the Scottish guys and say they've certainly got a good run at eight or 10 guys who could turn out for another international team, which is fantastic.

"That means you're in the top five, top six in the world, just by sheer weight of numbers of quality players."

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Despite the blow of losing Darcy Graham, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend softened the blow by revealing Kyle Rowe might be fit for the Springboks clash on Sunday.

And while Blair Kinghorn was unavailable for the win over Fiji, as it fell outside the international test window, he is back and can be selected by Townsend.

"Blair has been a starting full-back for a wee while now, he’s been in great form for Toulouse," the head coach said. "But he’s also played on the wing for us and for Toulouse this year.

"Kyle [Rowe] is still an option. We’ll see how he progresses over the next couple of days. We’ve got Harry Paterson and Arron Reed in our squad.

"Harry has played very well for us in the summer and also in the Six Nations. Arron’s in cracking form, had two games for Sale which were outstanding. We’ve also got Jamie Dobie, who has played on the wing for us in the summer tour and for Glasgow."

Rowe came off before half-time in the 57-17 win over Fiji but his hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared and he could stay in the starting XV.

"He’s not ruled out," Townsend said. "It will now be a case of seeing how he responds to training and how much we feel we can push him because we’ll need some contribution in training this week to go into the game.

"The fact that it’s a day later, an eight-day turnaround, I’m optimistic. But it’ll be over the next couple of days we’ll know that for sure."

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

You may have heard of the TV series, The Rings of Power? Against Fiji, Scotland deployed their wings of power in the shape of Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.

This pair could easily be Lord of the Rings characters. Darcy is like a hobbit. No, not because he is short of stature but because he's fleet of foot, hard to catch and turns up where you least expect him. Duhan is more like an elf. Mysterious, hard to fathom but also pretty nifty.

On Saturday the wingers both made their contribution to the cause in their own inimitable style. Graham popped up everywhere and bounced off opponents like they were magnets of the same pole. Van der Merwe hugged the left wing and got his reward in the second half thanks to the great work of Adam Hastings and Huw Jones.

As a result, Van der Merwe kept his lead as top scorer in the all-time Scotland try-scoring chart and Darcy's four tries saw him leapfrog Stuart Hogg into second place and close the gap to the top. The pair are also vying for top all-time scorer at Edinburgh albeit Tim Visser's total (69) may just be a step too far for both. Despite the fact that Darcy is behind Duhan at club level (36 v 44) as well as at international level, the Hawick man may eventually overhaul him in both categories.

Whoever does end up top of the tree for Scotland will probably hold that record for a considerable time. The next closest active player on the list is Huw Jones with 19. Darcy has more strings to his bow than his teammate and his work rate alone could be a decisive factor.

It's a side contest that both would deny exists but it's fun to hype it up and more tries hopefully also means wins for both Edinburgh and Scotland.

After Scotland's record win against Fiji, and with South Africa on the horizon, are there any questions you would like to put to Tom English and Andy Burke?

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We asked for your views on Scotland's 57-17 win against Fiji.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: A great win. This was definitely a stronger more organised Fiji than 2018, so to beat them by the same scoreline is really pleasing. South Africa will be an entirely different prospect. My number one area of concern is dealing with the high balls. Not a strong suit of any of our back three.

William: Difficult to know where Scotland are with this result against a poor, under-strength Fiji. Next week will be three steps up in quality and intensity. Gregor Townsend will need to bring different tactics to the game given how things went at the World Cup. More of the same will not cut it. He needs to show definite progress.

David: If we are to achieve anything against South Africa, Townsend must eat humble pie and call up Johnny Matthews as starting hooker. Facts don't lie, Matthews is the best-qualified Scotland hooker.

Andrew: It's hard not to look at the satisfying performance against Fiji through the lens of what the Boks will bring on Sunday. That said, the stand out players for me were Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan and the Edinburgh wingers who thrived off a solid attacking structure and the quality midfield. Jamie Dobie has to start next week, his distribution was electric.

Simon: If Gregor can pick based on form rather than history next week, then maybe we might have a chance against the world champions. Both Ali Price and Ewan Ashman should be dropped, as they were shown up by their replacements. Also Darcy Graham's defence is too suspect for the Boks.

Ronald: All of the backs played well, great debut by Tom Jordan. Jack Dempsey was immense in the back row and both starting props were very good. Dylan Richardson also showed up well when he came on. I still worry about our second-row options against the Boks.

Johnnie Beattie and Tom English discuss Scotland's win over Fiji on the Scottish Rugby Podcast.

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Sione Tuipulotu admits his Scotland captaincy debut couldn't have gone any better as his side stormed to a 57-17 victory over Fiji.

The Australia-born centre has impressed since his Scotland debut back in 2021, earning 27 caps so far.

Donning the armband for the first time against Fiji, the centre was pleased to lead the side to victory but knows it's only going to get tougher.

"It went probably better than I thought it was going to go, to be honest," Tuipulotu said.

"That first 20 minutes, I thought we were going to be in a real arm-wrestle, but the boys really fronted up.

"I did say in the huddle pre-game how important that first 20 minutes were going to be, especially against Fiji, because they were going to come out after their war dance with their tails up.

"We talked about exiting cleanly after we scored points. We can't afford to do that next week.

"We've got to get our heads around our own game. The elephant in the room is that the world champions are in town next week and we get a free swing at them. It's a unique opportunity.

"It feels like the start of something new for me. To start as captain feels like a new start."

Stuart McFarlane, Peter Wright and Johnnie Beattie join Andy Burke and Tom English in a post-match bonus Scotland Rugby Podcast to provide analysis and reaction after Scotland beat Fiji 57-17 at Murrayfield in the opening match of their Autumn Test series.

A record-breaking win over Fiji but what did you make of that, Scotland fans?

What went right for the hosts, and what went wrong?

Who impressed you the most? And who do you want to start against South Africa next Sunday?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

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Gregor Townsend, on a record-breaking 83rd match as Scotland head coach, told BBC Scotland: "We were tested in that second quarter, and sometimes we put ourselves under pressure. We responded in the second half. The bench did well when they came on, some of them playing at Murrayfield for the first team, so that was pleasing.

"We showed our intent to get the ball in the last 20 minutes and our fitness came through. There's a few things to work on, but it's a good start.

[On Darcy Graham's four tries] "Brilliant, wasn't it? He's so good here, so good with that Scotland jersey. He's so hard to read because he doesn't offer the same picture every time. His running lines were excellent today and he's a finished. We're delighted he's been able to play and play so well.

"We will be [ready] come next Sunday. We've got to assemble the game next week with players added to our squad. Tough for Kyle Rowe, whose been in great form. He looks to have picked up a hamstring injury. That's a blow.

"Tom Jordan at fullback played very well and that was his first cap for Scotland. We know we'll have to work hard and build that performance. We have to go in with the mindset and belief that we can win."

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Darcy Graham. It has to be him, doesn't it?

His first appearance in a Scotland jersey since the 2023 World Cup after injuries beset him, but boy did he come back with a bang.

Four tries took him to 28 for Scotland - tying Duhan van der Merwe's record set in the summer. However, the bigger, blonder winger scored a few moments later to make number one position his own again.

Graham spoke to Andy Burke after the match: "It wasn't bad, was it? I've loved pulling that jersey back on.

"When you're out that long, you start wondering when it's going to happen again, if it's going to happen again. You have doubts in your head, but I'm just chuffed to be back.

"The next thing for me is to chase that 50th cap - that's my boyhood dream.

"I joined him for five minutes! It's good fun, good competition between me and Duhi [van der Merwe]. We'll take it all the way into the thirties I reckon."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Sione Tuipulotu says he is happy at Glasgow Warriors "for now", but has refused to be drawn on his future beyond the end of the season.

The centre's contract at Scotstoun expires at the end of the current campaign, with leading clubs in England and France reportedly interested in signing the Scotland captain.

"I've got six months left at Glasgow and I'm desperate to win," Tuipulotu said.

"I really feel like Glasgow at the moment is a winning team and it's fun to play rugby for Glasgow under Franco [Smith] and I'm happy where I am.

"In terms of the future after that, there's not much I can say about it, but all I can say is that I'm happy in Scotland, I'm happy in Glasgow.

"Of course as a rugby player you have to look at your future, it's a short career, but I believe that my happiness outside of rugby has a heavy influence on how I play on the field and I know my family's happy at the moment in Glasgow, at least for the next six months.

"I'm happy there as well so yeah, I'm happy to be at Glasgow for now."

Sione Tuipulotu reveals his gran's new-found love for interacting with Scotland fans on social media as he prepares to captain the national side for the first time in the opening Autumn Test against Fiji on Saturday.

As Scotland prepare to begin their Autumn Nation Series campaign, BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering your questions.

Alex asked: Why is Gregor Townsend continually handed contact extensions without the expectation of performance targets, and how harmful has this been to Scotland's elite performance ambitions?

Andy answered: I do not believe there is no expectation of performance targets, but I do feel at this point in Townsend’s reign - over seven years in the job - preaching progress is no longer enough. Scotland need to demonstrate they can go into the next Six Nations with a genuine shot at winning the title.

Much like he did as a player, Townsend now divides opinion as a coach.

Some will point to two World Cup pool stage exits and the failure to mount a serious Six Nations challenge and say he has underperformed as head coach.

Those on the other side of the debate will highlight an unprecedented run of Calcutta Cup success and other notable victories over top nations, the development of a deeper well of resources than Scotland has ever had before, and the general heightening of hope and expectation around the national team on his watch.

I lean towards the latter. I think Townsend has been a good Scotland coach – his win percentage of 57% is the best in the history of the national team – and it has been his misfortune his tenure has coincided with the emergence of the best Ireland team of all time and one of the great French sides.

All that being said, Townsend needs to provide evidence this autumn and in the Six Nations that this Scotland team is still moving forward, otherwise the calls for a fresh voice and new ideas will become more compelling.

With Edinburgh struggling in the URC, and Scotland about to begin their autumn series, BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering your questions.

David asked: The Johnny Matthews saga really is beyond belief. Who do you believe, Franco Smith or Gregor Townsend? And where do a hapless Edinburgh go from here?

Andy answered: I feel for Matthews. He appears to be one of those faces that just doesn't fit for Townsend.

I've heard various theories as to why he has not been selected. He’s not physical enough. His set-piece numbers are down this season. Does his personality not fit into the culture the coaches are seeking to create?

None of those reasons really wash with me. Matthews has proved himself in the big games time and again for Glasgow and clearly has the trust of Franco Smith.

Maybe Townsend believes Matthews has reached the peak of his potential whereas the hookers he has selected for this squad – Ewan Ashman, Patrick Harrison and Dylan Richardson – have more potential for growth.

I think Matthews has earned his shot at Test level – and injuries may yet open the door for him – but it feels like his hopes of winning more caps may be slipping away.

As for Edinburgh? Where to start!

I think the problems for Edinburgh are myriad, but for me they have too many players with big reputations who are no longer operating at a good enough level.

They have too many players who do not produce anything like their Test level in an Edinburgh shirt. They have also been ravaged by injuries to key players who could make a difference, the likes of Darcy Graham and Emiliano Boffelli.

Throw into the mix a head coach in Sean Everitt who, after 16 months in the job, has yet to prove he can improve individual players and the side collectively, then you have a team who seemed pretty directionless at the moment.

I would love them to prove me and many other people wrong, but I foresee yet another season of maddening inconsistency ahead for Edinburgh.

With Glasgow charging on in the URC and Scotland about to start their autumn Tests, Andy Burke answers your questions.

David asked: With the Champions Cup approaching, how far do you think Glasgow can make it without Richie Gray?

Andy answered: Gray is undoubtedly a big loss, David, but I do feel Scott Cummings has amassed enough experience at this stage of his career to step up as a leader and fill that void.

Throw in the emergence of the likes of Max Williamson and Alex Samuel and Glasgow's second row will continue to be an area of real strength.

As for the Champions Cup, I'm hopeful that, given a kind enough draw, Warriors can finally break through that quarter-finals glass ceiling.

When they went out to Harlequins in the last eight last season it was a credible showing, going down to the Stoop and giving a top English side a real run for their money.

Reflecting on it now, after seeing what Glasgow produced at the tail-end of last season to win the URC and the form they have shown at the start of this term, I look back on that Quins defeat as a real missed opportunity.

Franco Smith has avoided making any public statements about Champions Cup targets this season, but privately I'm sure he'll feel this is a squad now capable of reaching the business end of the competition.

Keith asked: In order to build on last year’s success and become 'significant' in Franco Smith's words, should Glasgow and the SRU be doing everything within their powers to retain key players such as Sione Tuipulotu, rather than let them be lured to other clubs, as happened after the 2015 Pro12 winning season?

Andy answered: I view Sione Tuipulotu differently to the likes of Duhan van der Merwe in terms of the importance in keeping them in Scotland.

Van der Merwe has been playing in Scotland for many years – aside from a brief spell at Worcester – and while his value to the national team is unquestionable, there is a question mark on whether Edinburgh are getting real bang for their buck from the big winger.

There's a compelling argument to be made for allowing him to pursue other opportunities this summer and use the freed-up wages to strengthen the Edinburgh squad.

Tuipulotu is different. His form in both the Scotland and Glasgow shirt since he arrived has been nothing short of magnificent and he only seems to be getting better.

You only have one career and I certainly would not blame Tuipulotu if he were to maximise his earnings elsewhere, but I get the impression money will not be the decisive factor when it comes to deciding his future.

He is loved in Scotland and loves the country. His brother Mosese is now at Edinburgh and Sione has spoken of how much it means to him to have family close to him. He has now been given the Scotland captaincy which he says is a great honour to him.

That would be a lot to give up – not that he would necessarily lose the captaincy by leaving – and the SRU needs to pull out all the stops to convince Tuipulotu he can achieve all he wants, professionally and personally, by remaining in Scotland.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named his team to take on Fiji on Saturday - and it's a strong one, packed full of experience.

Ali Price starting at scrum-half has raised a few eyebrows, Darcy Graham is back and Tom Jordan is set for a debut from the bench.

Tom & Andy pick over the bones of selection and we hear from Townsend at his media conference.

Listen in to the latest Scotland Rugby Podcast.