Darcy Graham, the prominent winger, is set to make his return to the Scotland national team on Sunday after a 13-month hiatus. He has been named in a seasoned XV to compete against the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in the first autumn Test at Murrayfield. Graham, who last represented Scotland in October 2023 during the World Cup against Ireland, has been active at the club level, participating in five of Edinburgh’s six matches this season.
The squad consists entirely of players from Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the sole exception of Sharks hooker Dylan Richardson, who will start on the bench. This selection is due to the timing of the match, which falls outside the international window, making it impossible to include players from clubs abroad, such as Bath’s Finn Russell, Toulon’s Ben White, and Toulouse’s Blair Kinghorn.
In light of their absence, Adam Hastings has been tasked with the fly-half role, Ali Price will take on scrum-half duties, and Kyle Rowe will step in at full-back. Notably, Sione Tiupulotu will lead the team for the first time after being appointed captain. Rowe, making his seventh international appearance, is the only player in the starting lineup with less than 10 caps, though Coach Gregor Townsend has assembled a squad brimming with Test experience.
Tom Jordan, an uncapped Glasgow stand-off, is poised to make his debut off the bench, while Edinburgh prop D’Arcy Rae, who has one cap, is also included among the substitutes. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:40 AM Fiji Time.
This return of players like Graham showcases Scotland’s depth and talent, hinting at an exciting matchup ahead. The blend of experience and emerging talent under Tiupulotu’s leadership offers hope for a competitive performance against the Flying Fijians.
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