Scotland's Russell and Tuipulotu return to face All Blacks

Scotland will take on the All Blacks on Saturday, with Russell and Tuipulotu back in the starting XV after missing the opening against Fiji in July. Coach Townsend also reinstated Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie in the backline, the latter and Tuipulotu having come off the bench in the Fiji game.

Rory Sutherland is the sole forward retained from the 33-17 win, while newcomers Ewan Ashman, Zander, Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice‑captain Rory Darge have been added to the pack. The bench is filled with seasoned players apart from three‑time capped Gregor Hiddleston.

Saturday’s Test marks the first of four matches Scotland will play this month, with Australia and Japan also scheduled to visit Edinburgh and a further opponent to be confirmed for the finals weekend.

Dave Rennie, the All Blacks coach, selected centurions Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor in his line‑up and said New Zealand “play a pretty similar type of game” to Scotland. “Obviously, I know a fair bit about their coaches and about the players,” he said. “They've been excellent at Murrayfield.

The last four games between the All Blacks and Scotland have been really tight. Last year the boys were able to pull it out of the fire [for a 25-17 win], so we're well aware of the quality of the side and the performance required to beat them on the weekend.” Former Scotland scrum‑half Mike Blair is part of Rennie’s coaching team. Rennie added: “He's got a great understanding.

His ability to micro‑skill things from a decision‑making perspective and he's really innovative around how he delivers that, whether it's at a meeting or on the grass. He's been excellent. He made a really big impression with the boys as well.

You're seeing evidence of that on the park. He's been great. Very happy to have him in our camp.”