EDINBURGH, Scotland — Scotland’s winger Darcy Graham is set to return to the national team for the first time in over a year, participating in the opening autumn test against Fiji at Murrayfield this weekend.
Graham’s last match for Scotland was during the Rugby World Cup pool stage, where the team faced a defeat to Ireland in Paris back in October 2023. Due to injury, he missed the Six Nations and underwent groin surgery. After an eight-month recovery period, he finally joined the team again in September.
The squad announced on Thursday consists mainly of players from Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the exception of Dylan Richardson, a hooker with the Sharks, who is listed among the reserves. This match is outside the international window, which meant that some prominent players like Bath’s Finn Russell, Toulon’s Ben White, and Toulouse’s Blair Kinghorn could not be selected.
In their absence, Adam Hastings steps in as the starting flyhalf, Ali Price will play as scrumhalf, and Kyle Rowe takes his position at fullback. Sione Tuipulotu, the center for Glasgow, will captain the team for the first time following his appointment.
Rowe, who is set to earn his seventh cap, is the only player in Scotland’s starting fifteen who has less than ten caps to date. Tom Jordan from Glasgow is the sole uncapped player, poised to make his debut from the bench, while Edinburgh’s D’Arcy Rae, who has one cap from 2019, is also among the reserves.
On the other hand, Fiji has chosen a squad closely resembling their Pacific Nations Cup-winning team. As they are outside the test window, their selection includes an all-Drua lineup, featuring Ponipate Loganimasi, who joined the Super Rugby Pacific squad this month. Loganimasi made an impressive entry with two tries during his debut off the bench in Fiji’s 41-17 victory over Japan in the final of the PNC held in Higashiosaka last September.
The Fijian squad has retained eleven starters from that final match, although some key players like England-based tight five forwards Eroni Mawi and Temo Mayanavanua are not available. Additionally, Drua wing Ilaisa Droasese is absent, and Drua center Iosefo Masikau is not part of the touring squad. Several other players, including co-captain Waisea Nayacalevu and France-based backs like Semi Radradra, Sireli Maqala, and Josua Tuisova, have also been affected by the selection regulations.
Fiji introduced four new caps for the tour, with uncapped backs Kemueli Valetini and Waqa Nalaga included on the bench.
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**Lineups:**
Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Duhan van der Merwe, Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist, Zander Fagerson, Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, D’Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowell.
Fiji: Isaiah Ravula, Vuate Karawalevu, Apisalome Vota, Inia Tabuavou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Isoa Nasilasila, Samuela Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere (captain), Haereiti Hetet. Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Simi Kuruvoli, Kemueli Valetini, Waqa Nalaga.