Scotland vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from autumn international after Duhan van der Merwe try

Scotland will hope to bounce back from their painful defeat to Australia as they take on Fiji in their second autumn international this afternoon.

Blair Kinghorn had the chance to score the match-winning penalty against Australia at Murrayfield last weekend but pulled his kick wide as the hosts were beaten. Kinghorn has been backed to bounce back following his miss, which came after the fly-half scored a sensational try in his outing as starting No 10 in the absence of Finn Russell - although Kinghorn has been replaced in the starting line-up by Adam Hastings for today’s clash with the Pacific island nation.

“It’s important that we get behind him because he did a lot of stuff really well. I back Blair,” said Jamie Ritchie following his first match as captain. “I’ve seen what he can do week in and week out. I’m confident he will bounce back and be great next week.”

Follow all the action as Scotland take on Fiji at Murrayfield with our blog:

Scotland vs Fiji latest updates

• Scotland host Fiji at Murrayfield in the second of their autumn internationals

• TRY! SCOTLAND 5-0 Fiji (George Turner try, 7 minutes)

• TRY! Scotland 7-5 FIJI (Setareki Tuicuvu try, 14 minutes)

• TRY! Scotland 7-12 FIJI (Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 24 minutes)

• TRY! SCOTLAND 14-12 Fiji (Adam Hastings, 40 minutes)

• TRY! SCOTLAND 21-12 Fiji (Duhan van der Merwe, 50 minutes)

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 62 minutes

14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A miscue from Fiji at the maul! Those set-piece errors have really cost the visitors this afternoon.

Vinaya Habosi then appears to make significant contact with the chin of a stooping Rory Sutherland - this will require another look from the officials.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 61 minutes

14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A flying Fijian! That’s superb from Vinaya Habosi, first showing his vertical spring to beat a better positioned Darcy Graham in the air and then dancing the touchline tightrope, somehow keeping all his limbs in the field of play. Jamie Ritchie spots a loose ball and harpoons it, but it wasn’t quite out - Fiji penalty and into the Scotland 22.

One Gray replaces another - Jonny on, Richie off.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 59 minutes

14:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Roars of delight from Fiji - an outstanding, timely turnover from Albert Tuisue! Scotland break away from the maul, Jack Dempsey rather curiously electing to go it alone. Ewan Ashman can’t shift the broad shoulders of Tuisue, and appears to have entered from the side, anyway - Fiji penalty.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 58 minutes

14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A penalty against Fiji and Scotland will go again at the lineout.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 57 minutes

14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Teti Tela has had some passport trouble, and trained only twice ahead of this fixture, but Fiji felt the sole fly-half in their squad would be good to go from the bench - on he comes for Kalaveti Ravouvou, which will push Vilimoni Botitu one wider to the inside centre berth he more often occupies.

Scotland with a lineout five out on the right.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 57 minutes

14:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brilliant from Darcy Graham, the will-o’-the-wisp glimpsed only fleetingly between the tall timbers of the Fijian forward as he jinks through.

Richie Gray takes a more direct route with the advantage coming. Ewan Ashman gets over - but the hooker is turtled and can’t get the ball down.

Held up, back for the penalty.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 55 minutes

14:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a strong jackal from Jack Dempsey, finding his feet in a Scotland shirt after his previous international life for Australia. Over the top of a tackled Fijian he clamps to earn a penalty. Scotland kick up further into Fijian territory as they seek a fourth.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 53 minutes

14:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji’s lineout will need some beautification next week - another nasty one just about ends up in the safe embrace of one of those in white. But the visitors struggle to generate any pep, and a rather aimless kick is gathered by Duhan van der Merwe, who claims a mark.

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 52 minutes

14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A third debut of the day for Fiji: Livai Natave replaces Eroni Mawi. Scotland make a handful of changes, too - enter Ben White, Rory Sutherland and Jack Dempsey.

TRY! SCOTLAND 21-12 Fiji (Duhan van der Merwe, 50 minutes)

14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Duhan van der Merwe crashes over on the left! Fiji’s maul defence is much improved as they keep the Scottish eight from making more than a metre. Ali Price thus extracts the ball, Cameron Redpath dancing between Fiji’s heavy mob to about two metres out.

A Fijian player fails to roll away, robbing a teammate of a picture-perfect jackal turnover penalty, and Scotland have the advantage. Through the hands it goes, Chris Harris missing out Stuart Hogg to find his wing, and the hulking Van der Merwe bashes through Sireli Maqala to score Scotland’s third try. The conversion goes over.

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 47 minutes

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Good from Scotland, using the maul to drive Fiji back from a lineout just outside the 22. Their progress is stalled by a Fijian collapse - Blair Kinghorn stabs into the corner.

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 46 minutes

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A penalty at the scrum allows Scotland to clear to touch. Ali Price looks to the skies...and down it comes in the arm of Duhan van der Merwe with the Fijian backfield static.

Out to the right, space for Stuart Hogg. Onwards to Darcy Graham, who is just about lassoed at the hips by Vinaya Habosi, who uses his momentum to take Graham into touch.

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 43 minutes

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another Fiji chance goes awry! Hamish Watson and Ewan Ashman combine to stand up Albert Tuisue at a canter, but two phases later it appears Levani Botia might be in the corner as the ball is worked wide.

A forward pass means Botia’s nifty dive inside the flag is in vain.

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 42 minutes

14:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Biff! That is a mighty hit from Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, technically absolutely perfect as he rearranges Adam Hastings’ midriff. In comes a teammate to earn the holding on penalty, and Hastings is sufficiently shaken to be forced from the field. Blair Kinghorn trots on with Fiji into the Scotland 22.

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 41 minutes

14:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Botitu kicks long to Darcy Graham, who shows his deceptive strength by pinballing between three tacklers to make ten metres after first contact.

Scotland kick up towards halfway, from where the Fijian heavy artillery will go back to work. Botitu produces a floated miss ball to Waisea Nayacalevu, but Chris Harris tracks the flght and gathers his opposite number as he collects, ushering him out into touch.

H/T: Scotland 14-12 Fiji

14:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, the players are back out there at Murrayfield. Can Fiji remain right in this? Vilimoni Botitu will get us restarted as a sour-faced Gregor Townsend is shown on the big screen.

Wales vs New Zealand to come - with a late change for the hosts

13:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Action from Cardiff follows the conclusion of this Edinburgh encounter, and there is news of a late change to the Welsh side picked to take on the All Blacks.

Leigh Halfpenny, who has been battling a hamstring injury and barely figured in yesterday’s captain run, has been ruled out, which prompts a reshuffle - Gareth Anscombe slides back from fly-half to fill the starting full-back shirt, with Rhys Priestland now wearing ten. Sam Costelow is in line for a debut from the bench.

H/T: Scotland 14-12 Fiji

13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two points in it at the half, which Scotland will very much take. Fiji had the better of large portions of the first 40 minutes, showing their ability to inflict damage in spaces open and tight. Vern Cotter’s side bounced back well from the early yellow card to Ratu Leone Rotuisolia and George Turner’s opening score, with tries from the lock on debut and Setareki Tuicuvu putting them in front.

It’s been a disordered game, with Scotland struggling with their discipline, and Fiji will rue not capitalising on a long spell in Scottish territory around the half-hour mark. That Adam Hastings try feels crucial - but Scotland will have to be better after the interval.

HALF TIME! Scotland 14-12 Fiji

13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TRY! SCOTLAND 14-12 Fiji (Adam Hastings, 40 minutes)

13:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adam Hastings sells the dummy and Scotland have that score!

The Scottish scrum vindicate the decision of their captain by earning a penalty advantage. Ali Price chooses the right, passing to Adam Hastings, who flings the wide feint, scurries away from Kalaveti Ravouvou and flops beneath the posts.

His conversion is the final act of the first half - and sends Scotland down the tunnel narrowly in front.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 39 minutes

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to Scotland, and a choice to be made - it’s a certain three points, but Jamie Ritchie calls for a scrum. Perfect attacking position, just left of centre, ten metres or so out.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 38 minutes

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A debut for Fiji - Kini Murimurivalu has been forced off, meaning the ridiculously skilled Sireli Maqala steps in at full back.

A Fijian lineout error gives Scotland attacking ball, though, and a chance at a steadying score before the half.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 36 minutes

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Space for Duhan van der Merwe, but that is some cover tackle from Albert Tuisue! Big game after big game, Tuisue on the angle gives the long-striding Scotland wing a healthy tonking into touch as Van der Merwe enters the Fijian 22.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 35 minutes

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji explore the full width of the field, Vilimoni Botitu knoitting everything together with some delicate, deceptive handling. Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou are just about coralled, and that’s better from Scotland, remaining in their defensive structure and eventually forcing a kick.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 34 minutes

13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A free kick at the scrum will give Scotland an easy clearance, too, with Stuart Hogg returning as touch is found.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 33 minutes

13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up the middle trundles Kalaveti Ravouvou, beating one, but Scotland handle him well. Frank Lomani is forced in to seal the ball, and Fiji get themselves in a muddle at the base - knocked on! Chance gone for Fiji; the sighs of relief from the Scottish coaching box almost audible at a close-to silent Murrayfield.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes

13:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Before the scrum, an enforced change for Scotland - having lost Dave Cherry during the week, George Turner is forced off, with Ewan Ashman on at hooker, and straight into the scrummaging fray.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another firm shove from the Fijian scrum, and Scotland are offside. The visitors will scrum again, ten metres further infield.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 29 minutes

13:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up go a jumper from each team, and down they come clasping the ball together. Nic Berry urges Richie Gray to leave it, but he’s buried beneath the bodies and won’t be able to extricate himself - Fiji scrum against a 14-man Scottish defence.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes

13:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Breathless stuff in the last five minutes. Scotland have rather played into Fiji’s hands - a scrum penalty might settle things a little, with Ali Price ready to feed.

Stable from both sides to start, and then Scotland are penalised! Eroni Mawi, considered by many in Fiji to be the best prop prospect to emerge in the last five years, forces Zander Fagerson to turn in.

Vilimoni Botitu gives his hooker a five-metre lineout throw with a perfectly placed kick.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes

13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A real broken feel to proceedings all of a sudden. Vilimoni Botitu somewhat surprisingly eschews what appears to be an overlap to turn Adam Hastings with a clever diagonal kick, but he’ll have a go now, with Zander Fagerson isolated in space.

Botitu puts his foot down and tries to put away Waisea Nayacalevu...but the pass slips through the hands and goes forward into touch.

Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 26 minutes

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off go Fiji again! Break up the right, break up the left, Vinaya Habosi nearly bursting through Adam Hastings.

Viliame Mata just about holds on to an offload. Can Fiji make the position count again? No! An errant pass and Grant Gilchrist has it. Scotland just about survive.

TRY! Scotland 7-12 FIJI (Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 24 minutes)

13:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another try and Fiji lead! The lineout again looks a mess but ends up with the desired outcome as the Fijian midfield make dents. Viliame Mata brushes away two defenders, and there is another advantage coming as Levani Botia burrows between two defenders.

Botia goes closer still, and Ratu Leone Rotuisolia wriggles his way over for a debut score.

A change of kicker to Vilimoni Botitu - who nails the touchline conversion.

And Scotland drop to 14 men - Stuart Hogg is sent to the sin bin for persistent infringes. Fiji firmly on top.

Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 22 minutes

13:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nic Berry’s arm is out again. Two more infringements by Scotland, including a third or fourth offside, and that necessitates a chat between the Australian referee and Jamie Ritchie, who trudges back to advise his team to buck their ideas up. Fiji back into advanced territory.

Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 20 minutes

13:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And another error from Scotland - Stuart Hogg gets slightly isolated in the carry and Chris Harris’ clearout is rather dangerous, tilting and toppling a Fijian jackler on to his head.

Somewhat surprisingly, there is no further look to see if there is need for greater sanction - and Fiji miss touch with the penalty.

Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 19 minutes

13:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fine maul defence from Fiji, ensuring the Scottish drive doesn’t gain steam before ensnaring George Turner, and forcing the ball free.

Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 18 minutes

13:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hammered! That is some hit from Vinaya Habosi, Duhan van der Merwe’s charge slowed somewhat by Waisea Nayacalevu at his ankles and then more definitely by a brick wall of a shoulder from the Fiji wing.

Scotland earn a breakdown penalty.

Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 16 minutes

13:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is excellent from Fiji. A Frank Lomani box kick goes more up than out but Viliame Mata taps it back Fiji’s way, and Vinaya Habosi subsequently makes a hole in Darcy Graham’s back after the Scotland wing claims Kini Murimurivalu’s long kick.

Graham holds on and makes a break up the right soon after, but Adam Hastings misdirects his kick into space, allowing Fiji to get back and clear.

TRY! Scotland 7-5 FIJI (Setareki Tuicuvu try, 14 minutes)

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fiji strike! Ruthless from Fiji, softening up the Scottish defence with punchy close-in carries and then exploiting the space out wide.

After the forwards make dents in the middle, Frank Lomani swiftly swings the ball wides, the hands sharp and the running lines straight, granting Setareki Tuicuvu a hard charge for the corner, with little hope of halting him. His effort from the tee is, again, rather less pretty, but if Scotland needed a reminder of what Fiji can do...

Scotland 7-0 Fiji, 12 minutes

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another offside penalty against Scotland - loose again, with several of the defensive line up too soon. Fiji kick for touch just outside the home 22, restored to a full complement with the return of Ratu Leone Rotuisolia.

Missed penalty! Scotland 7-0 Fiji, 11 minutes

13:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Eek. Not the start that Setareki Tuicuvu would have liked from the tee, tugging it to the left. Three points go by.

Just a minute or so left on the yellow card.

Scotland 7-0 Fiji, 9 minutes

13:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A deep restart from Fiji, with Adam Hastings’ clearance giving the visitors their first attacking lineout ball. Shorn of a lock, it doesn’t quite function as hope, with Kalaveti Ravouvou forced to retrieve his broom and sweep up at the tail.

Advantage coming - can Fiji make anything of it? They cannot, but an offside penalty 35 metres out in front of goal should grant them their first chance at points.

Setareki Tuicuvu, often at full-back but on the wing today, is Fiji’s nominated goal-kicker.

TRY! SCOTLAND 7-0 Fiji (George Turner try, 7 minutes)

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Slowly it gets-a-moving and George Turner is over! Turner’s throw is good, the set-up sound, and Scotland’s collected mass gradually advance. Ali Price lends his slightly slender frame to ensure the hard work of the burly blokes is rewarded, giving Turner the final nudge he needs to open the scoring.

Over go the extras from Adam Hastings.

Scotland 0-0 Fiji, 5 minutes

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Better at the maul from Scotland, and advantage coming. Freedom, then, with which to explore the wider channels, but Fiji handle Stuart Hogg and force Chris Harris into a hurried grubber - which goes all of three metres. Back for the penalty; back into that right-hand corner for, presumably, a rumble for the line.

Scotland 0-0 Fiji, 4 minutes

13:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Vinaya Habosi steps in on the flank with Albert Tuisue pushed up to fill the Fijian second row. A hard charge from Waisea Nayacalevu gives Kini Murimurivalu enough space to clear with his left peg, which is normally cultured, but here rather hacks at the ball. Scotland lineout inside the Fiji 22.

Scotland 0-0 Fiji, 2 minutes

13:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A tidy enough lineout from Scotland, but the maul doesn’t quite form as hoped, so wider they will have to go. As they sweep back to the right, space begins to open on the edge for Darcy Graham, but Frank Lomani snares an ankle. Graham’s infield offload ends up in Fijian hands, and appears to travel forward, too - Fiji scrum five out from their own line.

Scotland 0-0 Fiji, 1 minute

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Hogg’s kick off drops into the hands of Kini Murimurivalu, who beats the first defender, but is handled shortly thereafter. Darcy Graham claims Frank Lomani’s first skyward hoist, and Fiji then infringe at a midfield ruck.

Quick tap! An injection of tempo immediately from Ali Price, and Fiji fail to retreat the required ten before making a tackle.

Yellow card! Blimey - 80 seconds into Ratu Leone Rotuisolia’s international debut and the lock is off for ten minutes on the naughty step. “It’s cynical,” says referee Nic Berry - Scotland opt to kick to the corner with Fiji’s pack down to seven.

Off we go

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, Scotland to kick everything off. There’s the peep of Nic Berry’s whistle...

The Cibi

13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The rest of the Fijian squad form a semi-circle around Levani Botia, who leads the Cibi, marching forward in fighting stance and laying down the gauntlet. They’ll fancy this, Fiji - can they deepen Scotland’s worries?

Anthems

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Waisea looks to the heavens, eyes closed, as he sings “Meda Dau Doka”. Api Ratuniyarawa clasps his great right fist across his heart.

The piper on the roof leads Murrayfield into “Flower of Scotland”, Jamie Ritchie sending a kiss to the stands after the final line.

Match Officials

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia’s Nic Berry has the whistle this afternoon, by the way, with compatriot Brett Cronan ready to assist as the TMO. There has been plenty said in the build-up to this autumn about the importance of managing the referee - officials have been urged to prioritise “safety, space and pace” during November.

Here come the teams

12:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Waisea Nayacalevu, who has preferred to be know by his first name during his time in France, heads the Fijian line opposite Jamie Ritchie, who leads Scotland out of the tunnel. A wet morning in Edinburgh means that Murrayfield has been slightly slow to fill, but the fans are streaming in now.

Princess Anne has made her way safely in, clad in a deep-blue double-breasted coat - she’ll share pleasantries with both sides ahead of kick-off. More Scottish royalty - the brass band launch into a cherry rendition of a song by The Proclaimers.

Scotland vs Fiji

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Scottish players have disappeared down the tunnel, ready to strap on the last bits of tape and steel themselves for the contest. Fiji follow them in, breaking into a half-jog. Vern Cotter is hoping that his side can improve within structure to allow themselves to play the unstructured stuff at which they excel. The Fijian Drua developed as the Super Rugby season went on, and there are plenty in Cotter’s pack with high-level European experience. Let’s see how they go - kick-off isn’t far away at all...

Gregor Townsend speaks to Amazon Prime

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“You work on things that you need to improve from the previous week but it is a new group. We have focussed on ourselves.

On his returnees: “They are very keen to play, they missed out last week. Some of them are very experienced like Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris, some like Cameron Redpath, it’s his first game at Murrayfield. We are excited to watch them play.

“They have picked more of a running team. We have to create errors in their game through our defence, squeeze them into their half at times. When we have the ball, we have to be accurate - they are the best team in the world with turnover ball.”

The return of Vern

12:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For those who enjoy win percentages, defeat to Australia last week dropped Gregor Townsend’s to 52.54% - below the record mark for a Scottish coach of 52.78% achieved by his predecessor, who is back at Murrayfield this afternoon.

Vern Cotter deserves plenty of credit for stabilising Scottish rugby during his time in charge, and there are plenty who feel his departure might have been a touch premature.

“We need to approach the game with a lot of humility,” Cotter said this week. “We are a tier 2 team playing a tier 1 team that had a game already in their bag.“We are slowly getting together but we want to get learnings from this plus we have the Rugby World Cup next year so it is really important that we put ourselves up against a very good team and I’m sure from we will come away with individual and collective improvements to be made.”

Scotland’s backline replenished

12:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adam Hastings, Scotland’s own new number ten, has been going rather well for Gloucester, of course. You’d suggest Gregor Townsend will be hoping his fly-half can take control of the game, forcing Fiji to play in dangerous areas and strike when Scotland have their chances. While there are a couple from the starting side last week unfortunate to miss out this, Ollie Smith particularly, the England-based quartet should solidify Townsend’s backline, and it’s nice to see Cameron Redpath fit for international duty - if Scotland are to press ahead without Finn Russell, the Bath playmaker may have to emerge as a key figure.

A new face at number ten...

12:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Plenty of reason to be excited about the Vilimoni Botitu fly-half experiment. He is an incredibly gifted player, like many in this Fijian side, but what has stood out in his career to date has been his ability to marry those gifts with real accuracy and dependability. It is a gamble installing the 24-year-old at a position at which he has little top-level experience, but he has a balanced skillset and should present intriguing options in attack to go with superb defensive acumen.

I fancy Frank Lomani may take duties from the tee - but Fiji occasionally have something different up their sleeve, so we’ll see.

Team News - Fiji

12:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The eye-catching news in the Fiji selection comes at fly-half, where Vilimoni Botitu is surprisingly stationed. The former sevens star usually calls inside centre home and has been an uber-consistent performer for Castres over the last couple of seasons, but has limited experience at ten – how he performs will be fascinating.

Up front, there’s a debut for Ratu Leone Rotuisolia in the second row, one of a number of younger figures in the squad who impressed for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby last year, while the back row looks mighty punchy indeed, with Viliame Mata fit to stomp around familiar Edinburgh turf.

Two more potential first-cappers are on the bench – prop Livai Natave and utility back Sireli Maqala, silkily skilled and unsurprisingly rather liked by Vern Cotter.

Fiji XV: E Mawi, S Matavesi, M Saulo; T Mayanavanua, RTL Rotuisolia; A Tuisue, L Botia, V Mata; F Lomani, V Botitu; V Habosi, K Ravouvou, W Nayacalevu (capt.), S Tuicuvu; K Murimurivalu.

Replacements: T Ikanivere, LNatave, L Tagi, A Ratuniyarawa, K Kamikamica; P Matawalu, T Tela, S Maqala.

Team News - Scotland

12:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Having made do with a slightly slimmer squad last week for the out-of-window curtain-raiser against Australia, Gregor Townsend can select from a full complement this week. Stuart Hogg is back at full-back, Cam Redpath and Chris Harris form a new midfield and Adam Hastings takes the place of Blair Kinghorn at fly-half, hoping to press for a longer-term starting berth with Finn Russell absent.

Dave Cherry has suffered a hamstring injury and has been forced to withdraw from the squad, so George Turner is in at hooker, while Richie Gray makes his first Scotland start since 2017 in the second row. Murphy Walker awaits a debut as the replacement tighthead.

Scotland XV: P Schoeman, G Turner, Z Fagerson; R Gray, G Gilchrist; J Ritchie (capt.), H Watson, M Fagerson; A Price, A Hastings; D van der Merwe, C Redpath, C Harris, D Graham; S Hogg.

Replacements: E Ashman, R Sutherland, M Walker, J Gray, J Dempsey; B White, B Kinghorn, S Tuipulotu.

Scotland looking to ‘impose our game’ on Fiji

12:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One wonders quite how Scotland’s performance last weekend might have been received had Blair Kinghorn filed a better flight plan for his potential match-winner, but such is life in professional sport that a narrow defeat only served to deepen the sighs of the more pessimitic Scottish fans fearing a fruitless autumn.

Jamie Ritchie, a new skipper navigating his first campaign in the top leadership role, has challenged his side to put their “best foot forward”.

Scotland vs Fiji

12:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

To Murrayfield, and a mighty intriguing little encounter. Scotland rather stuttered out against Australia, with neither result nor crowd quite what the Scottish union would have hoped for.

This should be a chance for Gregor Townsend’s side to right their campaign and take more strides forward, but they will be wary of a funky Fijian side, guided by a familiar face, that are more than capable of spoiling the Scottish afternoon.

Scotland vs Fiji

11:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We’ve already had a pulsating day of drama in Auckland, where New Zealand and England have scraped into the World Cup final, and now it is over to the men to take up the charge.

It really is a hectic autumn ahead, five weeks chock full of international rugby with the action kicking off in earnest today after that Edinburgh hors d’oeuvre seven days ago. Let’s get to it...

Autumn internationals take centre stage with elite rugby firmly in sport’s spotlight

Scotland vs Fiji

11:29 , Lawrence Ostlere

Scotland will hope to bounce back from their painful defeat to Australia as they take on Fiji in their second autumn international this afternoon.

Blair Kinghorn had the chance to score the match-winning penalty against Australia at Murrayfield last weekend but pulled his kick wide as the hosts were beaten. Kinghorn has been backed to bounce back following his miss, which came after the fly-half scored a sensational try in his outing as starting No 10 in the absence of Finn Russell - although Kinghorn has been replaced in the starting line-up by Adam Hastings for today’s clash with the Pacific island nation.

“It’s important that we get behind him because he did a lot of stuff really well. I back Blair,” said Jamie Ritchie following his first match as captain. “I’ve seen what he can do week in and week out. I’m confident he will bounce back and be great next week.”