Graham to make first Scotland start since World Cup
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Published
Darcy Graham will make his first Scotland appearance in over a year against Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Edinburgh winger, 27, has been hindered by a spate of injuries, with his last international outing coming at the World Cup in October 2023.
Scrum-half Ali Price also makes his first start since that tournament, while Adam Hastings gets the nod at fly-half, with Tom Jordan in line for a debut from the bench.
The New Zealand-born 25-year-old has recently completed the five-year qualifying period and has enjoyed a strong start to the season at Glasgow Warriors.
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Published23 October
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Published23 October
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With the first of four Autumn Series matches taking place outside the international window, head coach Gregor Townsend is largely restricted to home-based players, although replacement hooker Dylan Richardson has been released by Sale Sharks.
Sione Tuipulotu will lead the team, having been chosen as captain for the November Tests, and he will once again be joined by centre partner Huw Jones.
In the absence of Toulouse star Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Rowe wins his eighth cap at full-back.
Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second row and Ewan Ashman is the starting hooker, while Glasgow trio Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey make up the back row.
Jamie Dobie is the scrum-half cover among the replacements and D’Arcy Rae will be hoping to earn his second cap from the bench five-and-a-half years on from his Scotland bow.
Fiji’s last visit to Edinburgh was in November 2022, with Townsend’s side recovering from a poor first half to win 28-12.
The visitors are without Waisale Nayacalevu (Sale Sharks), Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), Sam Matavesi, Semi Radradra (both Lyon) and Luke Tagi (Bayonne).
Scotland & Fiji teams
Scotland: Rowe; Graham, Jones, S Tuipulotu (capt), Van der Merwe; Hastings, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Richardson, Sutherland, Rae, Williamson, Brown, Dobie, Jordan, McDowall.
Fiji: Ravula; Karawalevu, Vota, Tabuavou, Loganimasi; Muntz, Lomani; Hetet, Ikanivere (capt), Tawake, Nasilasila, Rotuisolia, Derenalagi, Salawa, Canakaivata.
Replacements: Dolokoto, Natave, Koroiduadua, Vocevoce, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Valetini, Nalaga.