Matt Fagerson Set for 50th Scotland Cap Against Australia

Matt Fagerson will play at number eight, a change from his previous position at six against South Africa. The Autumn Test between Scotland and Australia is scheduled for Sunday, 24 November, at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, with a kick-off time of 13:40 GMT. Coverage will be available on BBC Radio Scotland and 5 Live Sports Extra, along with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Matt Fagerson is set to achieve his 50th cap for Scotland in their concluding Autumn Nations Series fixture against Australia. Jamie Ritchie is also named in the starting back row for this match. Jamie Ritchie represents the sole alteration to the forward pack following the loss to South Africa a fortnight prior. The Edinburgh flanker will start at blindside, while Fagerson transitions to number eight, replacing the injured Jack Dempsey. Darcy Graham, who returned from concussion last week against Portugal, will feature on the wing. Blair Kinghorn will revert to his customary full-back position. Consequently, Tom Jordan of Glasgow will be among the replacements, despite his strong performances at 15 in his initial three caps. Scotland’s objective is to prevent Australia from achieving their first ‘grand slam’ tour of the home nations since 1984. The revitalized Wallabies have already secured victories against England and Wales, with their final Test against Ireland scheduled for the following weekend. Gregor Townsend’s team recorded comfortable wins against Fiji and Portugal, flanking a 32-15 defeat to the world champion Springboks. Among the substitutes are tight-head prop Will Hurd, second row Alex Craig, and scrum-half George Horne, all of whom were part of the second-string squad that decisively defeated Portugal 59-21 a week earlier. Townsend stated, “[If we win] it will give us a massive boost going into the Six Nations because we’re playing a quality side.” He added, “It’ll be frustrating if we don’t deliver a performance that we’ve been working towards. If we don’t at least match that performance of South Africa – that’s what we’re building towards.” Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, an emerging talent, is set to earn only his third Australia cap at Murrayfield, where he will start at outside centre. The 21-year-old, who transitioned from rugby league, was recognized as player of the match in the Wallabies’ win against England during his inaugural senior union game. Suaalii was a substitute against Wales, but due to Samu Kerevi’s suspension, Len Ikitau will return to inside centre, creating a spot for Suaalii. Concurrently, former Leicester Tigers winger Harry Potter is slated to make his debut. Captain Harry Wilson will be reinstated at number eight, having missed the victory against Wales due to concussion. Will Skelton, the imposing lock from La Rochelle, will once again start in the second row, partnering Jeremy Williams, who comes in for Nick Frost. Overall, Australia coach Joe Schmidt has implemented six changes to the team that achieved a record-breaking win in Cardiff. Jake Gordon returns at scrum-half in place of Nic White, and Carlo Tizzano steps in for Fraser McReight at openside flanker. Schmidt commented, “The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation.” He added, “The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They’re cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.” Scotland’s lineup includes: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (c), Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, M Fagerson. Replacements for Scotland are: Richarsdson, Sutherland, Hurd, Craig, Bayliss, Horne, Rowe, Jordan. Australia’s team consists of: Wright, Kellaway, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Williams, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson (c). Australia’s replacements are: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Jorgensen.