Scotland have named a heavily changed starting XV for their Autumn Series Test against Tonga at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Sunday, with Glasgow Warriors prop Zander Fagerson making his first appearance in over seven months.

Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Date: Sunday, 23 November 2025
Kick-off: 13:40 GMT
Coverage: BBC Radio Scotland Extra & BBC Sport website and app

Fagerson Returns to Front Row

Fagerson, sidelined since April due to calf and knee injuries, will start in a veteran front row alongside fellow Warriors prop Rory Sutherland and Harlequins hooker George Turner, who will win his 50th cap.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu is the only player to retain his place from Scotland’s last outing, a 33-24 defeat against Argentina, where the team had led by 21 points.

Backline Changes

Scotland’s backline sees Bristol Bears full-back Tom Jordan starting, while Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke will make his third cap in place of Bath’s Finn Russell. The wings feature Duhan van der Merwe, returning after missing the previous two Tests, and Kyle Rowe.

Notably, regulars Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn have been left out as head coach Gregor Townsend makes sweeping changes across the squad.

Back Row Boost

The back row has fresh faces as well, with Edinburgh’s Magnus Bradbury starting at number eight for the first time in three-and-a-half years, and flankers Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens) and Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan) handed their first appearances of the autumn campaign.

Scotland Starting XV vs Tonga

Starting XV:

• Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears)
• Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors)
• Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors)
• Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors, captain)
• Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh)
• Fergus Burke (Saracens)
• Ben White (Toulon)
• Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors)
• George Turner (Harlequins)
• Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
• Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors)
• Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors)
• Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens)
• Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan)
• Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh)

Replacements:

• Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh)
• Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors)
• Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers)
• Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh)
• Josh Bayliss (Bath)
• George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
• Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors)
• Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors)

This match marks a key opportunity for Scotland to rebuild confidence after consecutive defeats and to test a blend of experienced players and fresh talent ahead of the upcoming Autumn Series fixtures.