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Tuipulotu keeps Scotland place as Townsend makes 14 changes for Tonga / Photo: Scott Taetsch - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Tuipulotu keeps Scotland place as Townsend makes 14 changes for Tonga

SPORTS 21.11.2025

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was the only player to keep his place in the starting team as coach Gregor Townsend made 14 changes for Sunday's Autumn Nations Series clash with Tonga at Murrayfield

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Townsend has opted for a wholesale revamp following last week's painful 33-24 loss at home to Argentina, when Scotland squandered a 21-0 lead with just over a quarter of the game remaining.

Zander Fagerson will make his first appearance in more than seven months after being selected to start Scotland's final match of their November campaign.

The Glasgow prop has been sidelined since April due to calf and knee injuries but will be a member of an experienced front row alongside Rory Sutherland and hooker George Turner, who will win his 50th cap.

In the backs, record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe returns on the wing after being dropped for the past two Tests.

Kyle Rowe is on the other wing, with full-back Tom Jordan completing the back three.

Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke will win his third cap in place of Finn Russell, who drops out of the matchday 23 completely.

Magnus Bradbury makes his first Scotland start for over three years at No 8, with flankers Andy Onyeama-Christie and Jamie Ritchie coming into the side.

Scotland are ninth in the world rankings, 10 places above Tonga, meaning victory over the Pacific islanders is unlikely to quieten the growing debate over the long-serving Townsend's future as Scotland boss.

Scotland began their autumn campaign with an 85-0 rout of rugby minnows the United States but defeats by New Zealand and Argentina again exposed their inability to close out wins.

Scotland (15-1)

Tom Jordan; Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Duhan van der Merwe; Fergus Burke, Ben White; Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Andy Onyeama-Christie; Max Williamson, Alex Samuel; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Rory Sutherland

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Nathan McBeth, Will Hurd, Marshall Sykes, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Steyn

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

O.Johnson--AMWN

American Marconi Wireless News - Tuipulotu keeps Scotland place as Townsend makes 14 changes for Tonga

Tuipulotu keeps Scotland place as Townsend makes 14 changes for Tonga

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