Gregor Townsend has made six changes to the Scotland side as they get ready for their first game in Auckland since the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
They’ll be taking on Samoa at Eden Park – a ground where Scotland have never managed a win against any opposition, with their last visit a 2011 clash against England. No pressure, then, on a side who misfired badly in their last outing against Fiji.
In the backs, Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Fergus Burke, and Jamie Dobie all hold onto their spots.
Tom Jordan misses out after breaking his hand, so Rory Hutchinson and Stafford McDowall come into the midfield, with both Redpath and Jordan dropping out.
The extremely pacey Arron Reed is back on the wing after grabbing a try against the Māori All Blacks. He replaces Darcy Graham who has been called up to the Lions squad as either training fodder or a genuine test contender, depending on who you listen to.
Up front, “Geography Two” Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman will also head off to join the Lions tour as front row cover after this game – assuming they survive the Samoan onslaught – but first, they’ll start alongside Elliot Millar Mills in the front row.
In the second row, Gregor Brown steps in for Marshall Sykes and lines up with Grant Gilchrist.
The back row sees Andy Onyeama-Christie return to the starting side, joining skipper Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson, who made his comeback from injury in the Fiji match. It’s a very useful looking back row unit for a fixture that has taken on fresh importance with the loss to Fiji, and the need for ranking points ahead of the Australia 2027 RWC draw which will occur at some point before the 2026 Six Nations.
On the bench, it’s a 6-2 split again. Fin Richardson is set for his first cap after playing against the Māori All Blacks, with Nathan McBeth and George Turner covering the front row. Cameron Henderson and Marshall Sykes offer second-row cover.
Ben Muncaster — back after his leg injury — joins George Horne and Adam Hastings to round out the replacements.
Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Rory Hutchinson, Stafford McDowall, Arron Reed, Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Elliot Millar Mills, Gregor Brown, Grant Gilchrist, Andy Onyeama-Christie, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: George Turner, Nathan McBeth, Fin Richardson, Cameron Henderson, Marshall Sykes, Ben Muncaster, George Horne, Adam Hastings.
1 response
I’m all for Summer tours but not at the same time as a Lions tour. Scotland lose out by playing world ranking games when so many of the best players are on Lions duty