Scotland open their November international campaign at Murrayfield on Saturday when they take on Fiji.
Scotland v Fiji, Saturday 2nd November, Edinburgh, KO 19:40 (South African time)
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU) , Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Weather Forecast - Edinburgh
Scotland:
Scotland's mid year tour of North and South America delivered wins over Canada (73-12), USA (42-7), Chile (52-11) and Uruguay (31-19). After this they host the Springboks, Portugal and they finish their year against the Wallabies.
In the 6 Nations earlier this year Scotland started with a win in Wales (27-26) and a home defeat to France (20-16). After that they won at home to England (30-21) but then went down in Italy (31-29) and Ireland (17-13).
Fiji:
Fiji won the Pacific NAtions Cup recently whilst in July this year Fiji played test matches away to Georgia (won 21-12) and in New Zealand where they lost 47-5 to the All Blacks
Fiji enjoyed an excellent RWC 2023 campaign, qualifying from their pool at the expense of Australia and they gave England a huge scare in the quarter finals before eventually going down 30-24.
Note that as this game falls outside of the international window a number of European based players who would normally be in the squad will be absent for both sides.
Team News
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall
Fiji: 15 Isaiah Ravula; 14 Vuate Karawalevu, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani; 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Kemueli Valetini, 23 Waqa Nalaga
Recent Head to Head
Fiji's last visit to Edinburgh came in November 2022 and they lost 28-12
The Betting
Update 1 Nov 08h48
Scotland -17.5 points at 9/10
Fiji +17.5.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 1 Nov 08h49
Money has come for Scotland with the -17.5 long gone and the line currently sitting at -20.5
I am going to hold fire until more bookmakers price up points (conditions look like being good) but will have an interest in the 1st try scorer market.
Huw Jones is in the 13 jersey for Scotland and he is a prolific try scorer and I will back him to get his countries 1st 5 pointer.
He is 12/1 to score the 1st try of the match but I will take the 9/1 and exclude Fiji from the equation.
The main bet will follow.
BET: 0.5 unit Huw Jones 1st Scotland try scorer at 9/1 at WSB
Update 02 Nov 12h59
There has been small movement in favour of Scotland with the cap now -21.5 in places. Total points is 60.5 from 58.5.
I have settled on Scotland over 40.5 points.
BET: 4 units Scotland over 40.5 points at 87/100 at Pokerbet*
*You can open a Pokerbet Account by clicking here
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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