Russell & Tuipulotu back for Scotland v All Blacks

Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the Scotland side for Saturday’s Nations Championship meeting with New Zealand at Murrayfield.

Neither featured in the Scots’ last match against Fiji back in July, with head coach Gregor Townsend also restoring Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie in the backs, the latter having come off the bench against Fiji.

Rory Sutherland is the only starting forward to survive since that 33-17 victory, with Ewan Ashman, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice-captain Rory Darge all coming in.

The bench is made up of similarly experienced players, other than three-times capped Gregor Hiddleston.

Saturday’s Test is the first of three this month for Scotland, with Australia and Japan also visiting Edinburgh.

Line-ups

Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Max Williamson, Josh Baylish, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn.

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor (capt), Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Christian Lio-Willie, Anton Segner, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.