UPDATE: Zander Fagerson is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Scotland rugby squad after more than seven months on the sidelines. The Glasgow tighthead will start in Scotland’s final autumn Test against Tonga on November 18, 2023, at BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Fagerson’s comeback follows a lengthy recovery from calf and knee injuries sustained back in April. His presence in the front row alongside fellow prop Rory Sutherland and hooker George Turner—who is celebrating his 50th cap—brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Captain Sione Tuipulotu is the only player remaining in the starting XV from last weekend’s defeat by Argentina, as head coach Gregor Townsend shakes up the lineup to reinvigorate the squad. Notably, joint record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe returns after being dropped for the last two Tests against New Zealand and Argentina.
In a strategic shift, Fergus Burke will take over the fly-half position, earning his third cap in place of Finn Russell, who has been omitted from the squad altogether. The back row also sees significant changes, with Magnus Bradbury making his first start in three and a half years at number eight, flanked by Andy Onyeama-Christie and Jamie Ritchie, both set to make their autumn debuts.
This match against Tonga, kicking off at 15:00 GMT, is crucial for Scotland as they look to end their autumn series on a high note. The return of Fagerson and the fresh faces in the lineup signal a renewed determination from the team. Fans are eager to see how these changes will impact Scotland’s performance in this pivotal clash.
Stay tuned for live updates as Scotland aims to turn the tides against Tonga!
