Townsend makes 14 changes as Scotland overhaul XV to face Fiji at Murrayfield

Gregor Townsend has named a near-entirely new Scotland XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship fixture against Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, making 14 changes and one positional switch from the side that lost 42-28 to South Africa in Pretoria last weekend.

Gregor Brown is the sole survivor from that starting lineup, but even he shifts position — moving from second-row to No.8 for what will be his first Test start in the role. He is joined in a new-look back row by Josh Bayliss and 21-year-old Freddy Douglas.

Stafford McDowall captains the side from inside centre, partnering Ollie Smith in midfield. Scotland’s two leading men’s try scorers, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, make their first appearances of the series on the wings, while Fergus Burke starts at fly-half alongside George Horne at scrum-half. Tom Jordan is named at full-back.

In the pack, Rory Sutherland earns his 51st cap having reached the half-century milestone against the Springboks, while Gregor Hiddleston is handed his first international start at hooker. Jonny Gray returns to the engine room alongside Max Williamson.

Townsend has again opted for a 6-2 bench split. Glasgow Warriors hooker Seb Stephen is in line to make his Scotland debut if called upon, with Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson, and Scott Cummings providing experienced forward cover. Sione Tuipulotu is among the backs in reserve.

Scotland XV: Tom Jordan; Darcy Graham, Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall (capt), Duhan van der Merwe; Fergus Burke, George Horne; Rory Sutherland, Gregor Hiddleston, D’arcy Rae, Jonny Gray, Max Williamson, Josh Bayliss, Freddy Douglas, Gregor Brown.

Replacements: Seb Stephen, Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Magnus Bradbury, Liam McConnell, Jamie Dobie, Sione Tuipulotu.