Scotland taking no chances against New Zealand
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: An experienced Scotland squad, led by Sione Tuipulotu as one of 10 starting Glasgow Warriors players, has been selected by head coach Gregor Townsend for this Saturday’s Nations Championship match against New Zealand at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
Tuipulotu, who is bidding to lead Scotland to a first-ever victory against the All Blacks, takes his place in a back division laced with familiarity, with Huw Jones joining him in the centre.
Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie line up on the right and left wings, respectively, with fellow Scotstoun man Kyle Rowe getting the nod at fullback.
#TeamAnnouncement: Can this team keep their flawless record intact against Scotland
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Finn Russell is the most experienced player in the national squad as the stand-off prepares for a 96th Scotland cap and for the seventh time this calendar year, he will be partnered by Ben White at scrumhalf.
In the pack, an all-Warriors loose five sees Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown link up in the second row, the latter having won a 50th cap during against Argentina in the summer fixtures of this current competition.
The back row selection is also one of familiarity, with Jack Dempsey anchoring the scrum, as Matt Fagerson lines up on the blindside flank with Rory Darge on the openside.
Up front, Rory Sutherland – who reached his own half century of caps against South Africa earlier this year – gets the nod to start at loosehead prop, with Zander Fagerson at tighthead and Ewan Ashman selected at hooker.
Fellow hooker Gregor Hiddleston is named as one of five forward replacements, alongside props Pierre Schoeman – another now in the 50-cap club – and Will Hurd, second row Max Williamson and Josh Bayliss, who will cover the back row.
The matchday 23 is completed by a trio of backs as George Horne (scrumhalf) joins the versatile pair of Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn in rounding off the squad to face the All Blacks.
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (Captain), 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Rory Sutherland,
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Blair Kinghorn.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14.10 (14.10 GMT; 3.10 Sunday, November 8 NZT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy) & Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
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