Samoa v Scotland - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made five changes to the team that lost against Fiji last weekend for Friday’s clash against Samoa in New Zealand.

It will be Scotland’s first match in Auckland since the 2011 World Cup.

Scotland last played at Eden Park against England 14 years ago and will be aiming for their first ever win at the historic venue.

In the backs, Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Fergus Burke and Jamie Dobie all retain their places.

Tom Jordan has been ruled out of the match due to fracturing his hand, with Rory Hutchinson and Stafford McDowall taking his and Cameron Redpath’s place in the centre.

Arron Reed starts on the wing in place of Darcy Graham, after scoring a try in the win against the Māori All Blacks.

Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman will join the British & Irish Lions in Australia on Sunday, but will start the match against Samoa in the front row along with Elliot Millar Mills.

Gregor Brown replaces Marshall Sykes in the second row and pairs up with Grant Gilchrist.

Head Coach Gregor Townsend gives his thoughts ahead of Friday’s Skyscanner Pacific Tour match against Samoa.#AsOne pic.twitter.com/nsetbgrlAy

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 16, 2025

Andy Onyeama-Christie returns to the starting line-up alongside tour captain Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson, who completed his return from injury last weekend against Fiji.

In a six-two split on the bench, prop Fin Richardson is in line for his first cap having previously donned the blue jersey against the Maori All Blacks.

Nathan McBeth and George Turner offer front row options from the bench with Cameron Henderson and Marshall Sykes able to offer support in the second row.

Ben Muncaster has recovered from his leg injury sustained in the first game of tour with George Horne and Adam Hastings also named on the bench.

*Meanwhile, Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi has selected three debutants in his starting XV.

They are Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Jacob Umaga and Latrell Ah Kiong.

Umaga, who plays for Benetton in Italy, was born in England, and he picked up a Test cap under Eddie Jones back in 2021.

Having not represented England in the last four years, Umaga was called up by Samoa this year, and he qualifies for them via his ancestry.

There are also three uncapped players on the bench in the form of Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Niko Jones and Connor Tupa’i

Prediction

@rugby365com: Scotland by 13 points.

Teams:

Samoa: 15 Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Duncan Paia’aua, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Tomasi Alosio, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Jonah Mau’u, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Benjamin Nee-Nee, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Pita Anae Ah-Sue, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Kaynan Siteine-Tua, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Niko Jones, 21 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu, 22 Connor Tupai, 23 Rodney Iona.

Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Arron Reed, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge (captain), 6 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Fin Richardson, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Marshall Sykes, 21 Ben Muncaster, 22 George Horne, 23 Adam Hastings.

Date: Friday, July 18
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 20.05 (21.05 WST; 09.05 BST; 08.05 GMT)
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)