Fiji v Scotland - Teams and Prediction
PREVIEW: Saracens flyhalf Fergus Burke will win his first Scotland cap on Saturday, in Suva, fresh from being involved in the win over the Maori All Blacks last weekend.
Qualifying for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandfather, Burke was first called up earlier this year for the Six Nations and will become Scotland cap number 1235.
Rory Darge will captain the side for the first time on the tour, with Kyle Steyn and Grant Gilchrist named as vice-captains.
Darcy Graham starts on the wing to complement Steyn, with Kyle Rowe at fullback.
In the centres, Cameron Redpath will play his first game since winning the English Premiership with Bath, and forms a new-look partnership with Tom Jordan.
Jamie Dobie is named at scrumhalf to link up with Burke on debut.
In the forwards, loosehead prop Rory Sutherland packs down with hooker Ewan Ashman and Elliot Millar Mills at tighthead.
Fresh from starting the win over the Maori All Blacks, Marshall Sykes starts alongside the experienced Gilchrist in the second row.
Matt Fagerson, selected at No.8, will make his first appearance since April after recovering well from an ankle injury, and he will be joined in the back row by Darge and Jamie Ritchie, who takes the blindside flank berth.
Hooker George Turner starts on the bench following his return to a Scotland jersey last weekend, and is in line for a first Test cap since Italy in March of last year.
Props Alec Hepburn and Will Hurd, and second row Max Williamson retain their places on the bench from last time out, along with vice-captains from last weekend, Josh Bayliss and George Horne.
Adam Hastings and Ollie Smith make up the remainder of the replacement options.
Meanwhile, Fiji head coach Mick Byrne has announced a formidable line-up to face Scotland, making two changes to the starting XV.
Prop Mesake Doge comes in for Peni Ravai, while Sireli Maqala replaces Iosefo Balewairiki at outside centre.
Scrumhalf Sam Wye could make his debut after being named on the bench ahead of Philip Baselala, with Vilimoni Botitu providing cover for the centres.
Byrne emphasized the need to counter Scotland’s physicality, particularly at the breakdown.
“We must make sure we’re ready for that. There were areas we improved in the second half last week, and we’ll keep working on those,” he said.
The coach also highlighted the depth in the centres, calling the selection dilemma a “great problem”.
“When you have world-class players like Balewairiki, Tuisova, Maqala, and Botitu, it’s tough to choose,” Byrne admitted.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Scotland by three points.
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13 Sireli Maqala, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Samuel Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Vilimoni Botitu.
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Cameron Redpath, 12 Tom Jordan, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge (captain), 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Ollie Smith.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Buckhurst Park, Suva
Kick-off: 15.00 (04.00 BST; 03.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Matt Kellahan (Australia)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
