Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the Scotland squad for Saturday's Nations Championship match against New Zealand at Murrayfield. Neither Tuipulotu nor Russell played in Scotland's last match against Fiji in July, and their return brings an experienced core to the team ahead of one of the season's toughest tests.
Coach Gregor Townsend has brought back Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie to the backs. Dobie came off the bench in the match against Fiji, while the other three return to the starting XV. In the forwards, Rory Sutherland is the only starting player retained from the 33-17 victory over Fiji, meaning Townsend has changed almost the entire pack.
Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice-captain Rory Darge also make the team. The bench consists of experienced players, with the only exception being Gregor Hiddleston, who has just three caps. Such a lineup suggests Townsend is counting on proven strength in the closing stages of the match.
Saturday's Test is the first of three this month for Scotland. Australia and Japan will also visit Edinburgh, so Murrayfield will host three Southern Hemisphere teams in the coming weeks.
Scotland team: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Max Williamson, Josh Baylish, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn.
New Zealand team: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor (capt), Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Christian Lio-Willie, Anton Segner, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.
