Scotland team v Fiji: Gregor Townsend makes 14 changes as new captain named for Murrayfield clash
Stafford McDowall skippers a Scotland side that includes Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made a whopping 14 changes to his starting side that will face off with Fiji in the Nations Championship at Murrayfield.
Stafford McDowall skippers the squad that rounds off the first block of the tournament, with Scotland having won one (Argentina) and lost one (South Africa) thus far.
The centre is joined in the midfield by Ollie Smith, who will don a unique jersey commemorating the passing of Scott Hastings, for what is a ‘home’ Test for the islanders.
Lethal wings start
The two leading male try scorers in the country’s history come into Scotland‘s starting XV, with Darcy Graham (38 tries) and Duhan van der Merwe (35) given a run-out.
Fergus Burke, who came off the bench two weeks ago in Argentina, lines up at 10, with George Horne, another replacement in that seven-try win, starting at scrum-half.
In the pack, Rory Sutherland is selected at loosehead prop with Gregor Hiddleston primed for a first international start at hooker, and D’arcy Rae included at tighthead.
Jonny Gray will win an 83rd Scotland cap on Saturday and is joined in the second-row by Max Williamson.
Josh Bayliss, a try-scorer against the Springboks last time out and vice-captain this weekend, is named at blindside flanker, with Freddy Douglas selected for a first Scotland start on the openside. Gregor Brown, listed at number eight, switches from the second-row and is the sole surviving starting player from last weekend’s game.
A 6-2 split on the bench sees Seb Stephen poised to become Scotland cap 1240, should the hooker be called upon.
There is experience aplenty by way of props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson, with Scott Cummings and Magnus Bradbury offering ballast to cover the loose five forwards alongside Liam McConnell.
Jamie Dobie and regular skipper Sione Tuipulotu complete the matchday 23 as Scotland look to sign off July with a positive performance against an out-of-form Fiji.
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Scotland team to face Fiji
Scotland: 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Stafford McDowall (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 George Horne, 8 Gregor Brown, 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Josh Bayliss, 5 Max Williamson, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Liam McConnell, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Sione Tuipulotu
Date: Saturday, 18 July, 2026
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14:10 (local), 14:10 (UK), 15:10 (France), 15:10 (South Africa), 23:10 (AEST), 01:10 (19 July, New Zealand), 10:10 (Argentina), 22:10 (JST), 09:10 (EDT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) and Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Broadcasters: ITV (United Kingdom), TF1 (France), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), Wowow (Japan), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa)
