Scotland taking no chances against maverick islanders

EDINBURGH : Scotland might have the All Blacks in their sights in just over a week but they are taking no chances against Fiji this weekend and have named a strong side to take on the maverick Pacific islanders at Murrayfield on Saturday.

It is the second of four home tests for Scotland in the autumn international series, arguably the easiest assignment after losing 16-15 to Australia last weekend and still to face New Zealand on Nov. 13 and Argentina six days later.

The Scots were only able to use home-based players for last Saturday's defeat but now have a full-strength squad as the test window opens and players from clubs outside Scotland are available.

Coach Gregor Townsend has brought back Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris while handing another British & Irish Lion Richie Gray a first international opportunity since the 2021 Six Nations.

“We are expecting the unexpected. They play a game unlike any other team at international level,” Townsend said on Thursday about the flair-filled approach from Fiji.

“There is an ambition and skill level above what we are used to playing,” he warned.

Fiji’s penchant for throwing the ball around will continue, their coach Vern Cotter confirmed, but he was insistent on more structure in the scrums and lineouts.

“As you know, we can’t play unstructured rugby, which is our strength without having structure and that’s the name of the game of 15s,” said Cotter, who was previously in charge of Scotland.

Saturday’s test is the first for the Fijians since July’s Pacific Nations Cup as they look ahead to next year’s World Cup.

They have had a week-long training camp in France ahead of the Scotland clash and in the next fortnight will play Ireland and the French Barbarians.

"We are slowly getting together