
Gregor Townsend makes multiple changes ahead of Nations Championship opener at Murrayfield
Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to Scotland's starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship match against New Zealand at Murrayfield, with Gregor Townsend restoring six backs and six forwards from the July win over Fiji.
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Scotland's previous match was a 33-17 victory over Fiji in July. Saturday's Test is the first of three this month, with Australia and Japan also visiting Edinburgh.
Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the Scotland side for Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with New Zealand at Murrayfield.
Neither featured in the Scots' last match against Fiji back in July, with head coach Gregor Townsend also restoring Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie in the backs, the latter having come off the bench against Fiji.
Rory Sutherland is the only starting forward to survive since that 33-17 victory, with Ewan Ashman, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice-captain Rory Darge all coming in.
The bench is made up of similarly experienced players, other than three-times capped Gregor Hiddleston.
Saturday's Test is the first of three this month for Scotland, with Australia and Japan also visiting Edinburgh.

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Captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the Scotland starting lineup for Saturday's Nations Championship match against New Zealand at Murrayfield, alongside several other changes to the squad.

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