Ali Price to Start for Scotland Against Fiji, Coach Cites ‘Best Form’

Ali Price is set to earn his 67th Scotland cap and will make his first start for the national team in over a year this Saturday against Fiji. Head coach Gregor Townsend stated that Price is currently “in the best form” among the available scrum-half options. The 31-year-old’s selection comes despite Edinburgh’s challenging start to the season. He was chosen over Glasgow players George Horne and Jamie Dobie, both of whom are named among the substitutes for the match at Murrayfield. Toulon’s Ben White is unavailable for this fixture, as the initial November Test falls outside the designated international window. Having been capped 66 times, Price was Scotland’s primary scrum-half until the close of 2022, but featured only once as a replacement during this year’s Six Nations tournament. Townsend commented, “We feel this year Ali’s played really well when Edinburgh have gone well, the last two games in particular.” He added, “George and Jamie are competing really hard with Ben, who will be available for us next week, so we see the four of them as all having their different attributes.” Townsend further explained, “We’ve gone for Ali because we believe he’s in the best form right now. He looked really refreshed after having a summer off.” “Ali’s a [British & Irish] Lion, he’s a quality player. George and Jamie are quality players too, so we have really good depth at nine and Ali’s got an opportunity this week,” Townsend concluded. Edinburgh winger Darcy Graham, now recovered from a series of injuries, is set to make his first appearance since the World Cup in October 2023. Adam Hastings has been selected at fly-half, while Tom Jordan is poised to make his debut from the substitutes’ bench. The 25-year-old, who was born in New Zealand, recently fulfilled the five-year qualifying period and has demonstrated strong form for Glasgow Warriors this season. Townsend remarked about Jordan, “He brings an energy, an aggression to the game that’s going to be slightly different to what you normally see at Test level at 10.” He continued, “He’s really worked hard on his basic skills, his fundamentals of kicking, kick-offs, passing. He’s going to add something to our back line when he comes on.” Sione Tuipulotu, appointed captain for the November Tests, will lead the team and will be partnered in the centres by Huw Jones. With Toulouse player Blair Kinghorn unavailable, Kyle Rowe will earn his eighth cap, starting at full-back. Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings form the second-row partnership, with Ewan Ashman starting as hooker. The back row comprises Glasgow trio Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey. D’Arcy Rae could potentially secure his second cap from the bench, five-and-a-half years after his initial appearance for Scotland. Townsend commented, “There’s always a number of close calls. There’s depth and competition, but this is a settled side. There’s combinations that have played a lot together for us and for their clubs and that’s really important when you have your first Test match.” Fiji last played in Edinburgh in November 2022, a match where Townsend’s team overcame a challenging first half to win 28-12. The visiting side will be without several key players, including Waisale Nayacalevu (Sale Sharks), Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), Sam Matavesi, Semi Radradra (both Lyon), and Luke Tagi (Bayonne). Townsend stated, “Whatever team Fiji puts out, they’re going to have terrific individual skills. They’re going to be very physical.” He added, “They’ve been together for a while. Most of this team played in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, which included a 40-point win over Japan, so they’re going to be a very cohesive and Test-ready unit.” The Scotland starting XV includes: Rowe; Graham, Jones, S Tuipulotu (capt), Van der Merwe; Hastings, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey. Replacements are: Richardson, Sutherland, Rae, Williamson, Brown, Dobie, Jordan, McDowall. Fiji’s lineup is: Ravula; Karawalevu, Vota, Tabuavou, Loganimasi; Muntz, Lomani; Hetet, Ikanivere (capt), Tawake, Nasilasila, Rotuisolia, Derenalagi, Salawa, Canakaivata. Substitutes are: Dolokoto, Natave, Koroiduadua, Vocevoce, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Valetini, Nalaga.