mens
international
Gregor Townsend has selected his 23-player team to face the All Blacks this weekend at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, aiming for a notable triumph over Dave Rennie’s squad.
Scotland continues its quest for a significant win against New Zealand, having played 33 matches that included two draws back in 1964 and 1983.
Neither Duhan van der Merwe nor Darcy Graham, Scotland’s all-time leading try-scorers, will participate, as Townsend seeks the optimal backline composition for 2026.
With a return to the first-team lineup, British and Irish Lions midfielder Huw Jones missed the entire July Nations Championship window, and he will team up with Sione Tuipulotu in the center.
Townsend has chosen a seasoned front row with Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, and Zander Fagerson included.
The locks feature an all-Glasgow Warriors pairing, with Gregor Brown joining the remarkably talented Scott Cummings. The loose forwards present a thrilling clash between the two teams, as Townsend relies on Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey to compete against Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai, and Wallace Sititi from the All Blacks.
Toulon’s Ben White will be positioned as halfback, paired with British and Irish Lion’s flyhalf Finn Russell.
Rowe was chosen over Blair Kinghorn, who is set to be on the bench, which also includes Tom Jordan and George Horne.
The substitutes for the front row bring together players from three different franchises, with Townsend selecting Gregor Hiddleston, Pierre Schoeman, and Will Hurd to introduce additional impact.
Second row players Max Williamson and Josh Bayliss are entrusted on the bench, taking up jerseys 19 and 20 at Murrayfield.
Scotland squad for the encounter against New Zealand in the Nations Championship at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Saturday 7 November 2026, live on ITV Sport, kick-off 2.10pm; caps in brackets:
15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (19)
14. Kyle Steyn – Vice-Captain Glasgow Warriors (35)
13. Huw Jones – Toulon (63)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Captain – Glasgow Warriors (41)
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (22)
10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (95)
9. Ben White – Toulon (38)
1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (51)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (37)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (84)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (19)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (52)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (66)
7. Rory Darge – Vice-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (41)
8. Jack Dempsey – Toshiba Brave Lupus (35)
Substitutes
16. Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors (3)
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (52)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (11)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (15)
20. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (18)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (47)
22. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (20)
23. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (68)
