Hogg returns as Townsend rings the Scotland changes
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made six changes to his starting line-up for his team’s encounter with Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Four of the new faces come in the back division.
Scotland’s record try-scorer Stuart Hogg returns at fullback and Adam Hastings will feature at flyhalf against the Flying Fijians.
A new centre partnership sees Chris Harris link up with Cameron Redpath, the latter set to earn a first cap at Murrayfield.
Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham are selected at wing, with Ali Price continuing at scrumhalf.
The pack has two changes from the side narrowly beaten by Australia last weekend.
Richie Gray returns to the international fold for a first start since 2017 and George Turner comes in at hooker.
Pierre Schoeman packs down with Zander Fagerson on either side of Turner, with Grant Gilchrist partnering Gray in the second row.
Captain Jamie Ritchie once more leads a back row that also contains Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson.
Young tighthead prop Murphy Walker is listed among the replacements and the 23-year-old would make his Scotland debut if called upon.
Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Jonny Gray and Jack Dempsey represent the remaining forward substitutes, with Ben White, Blair Kinghorn and Sione Tuipulotu options in the backs.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie (captain), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Murphy Walker, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Ben White, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Sione Tuipulotu.
Date: Saturday, November 5
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 13.00 (13.00 GMT; 01.00 FJT Sunday, November 6)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
