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Six Changes to Starting Line-up

Ahead of Scotland’s first match in Auckland since the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Gregor Townsend has made six changes to the team that lost against Fiji last weekend.

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 Maori 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.

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 6-2 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.

Samoa v Scotland, Friday 18 July 2025, kick-off 7.35pm (local time) (Friday 18 July 2025, kick-off 8.35am (UK time) Eden Park, Auckland. Live on Premier Sports and BBC Scotland (Online and iPlayer)

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (13)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – VICE-CAPTAIN (24)
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (10)
12. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (13)
11. Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (3)
10. Fergus Burke – Saracens (1)
9. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (13)

1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (42)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (28)
3. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (8)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (9)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – VICE-CAPTAIN (81)
6. Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens (8)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – CAPTAIN (31)
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (56)

Replacements

16. George Turner – Harlequins (46)
17. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (2)
18. Fin Richardson – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
19. Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers (1)
20. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
21. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
22. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (37)
23. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (33)

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Comments

  1. Although the New Zealand All Blacks are considered one of the best rugby teams in history, it is the USA that holds the title of reigning Olympic champions in rugby. The United States won the gold medal for rugby in the 1924 Olympics, and the sport has not been played in the Olympics since.

  2. Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand and holds a special place in the country’s culture. The domestic competition, known as the Mitre 10 Cup, showcases the country’s rugby talent, while the Super Rugby competition features New Zealand’s top franchises competing against teams from Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan.