Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the Scotland starting XV for the Nations Championship opener against New Zealand at Murrayfield. Neither featured in the recent Fiji match, with head coach Gregor Townsend also restoring Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie to the backline. Rory Sutherland is the sole surviving forward from the Fiji victory, while Ewan Ashman, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice-captain Rory Darge all come in.
The bench features experienced players aside from Gregor Hiddleston. Scotland face Australia and Japan later this month. 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 Mc Kenzie, 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.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing