South Pacific tour ‘crucial' to Scotland seeding for World Cup

The Scots kick off with a match against the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei, New Zealand on July 5 before they take on Fiji a week later, with the match marking Scotland's first game on Fijian soil since 2017.
In their final game, Scotland take on Samoa in Auckland, New Zealand at the historic Eden Park on July 18.
Head coach Townsend, who named Rory Darge as captain with George Turner returning to the fold after missing the last year of international rugby following his move to Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, said: 'We know that playing Test matches for Scotland and winning Test matches for Scotland is really important, so we have to pick a strong squad to take on the likes of Fiji and Samoa.
'It's an even more important issue with the world-ranking points. The World Cup draw gets made after November, so these games are crucial to make sure we've got the best chance of being in that top six and getting a better seeding.
'There's always, maybe one or two players that we decided not to select not because of form, but because we think it's not right for them to go into tour at this time.
'But other than that, it's as strong as a squad as we could select, and the benefit of having that third game of the game against Maori All Blacks will mean that we will everybody in tour will get game time, and players that maybe haven't played as much for us in the past are going to get game time on the tour and game time for Scotland.'
Head Coach Gregor Townsend discusses his selections for the @Skyscanner Pacific Tour.
Watch the video here ➡️ https://t.co/1XRmGa9pdu#AsOne pic.twitter.com/HVXmyJqCL5
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 10, 2025
There are three uncapped players named by head coach Gregor Townsend – stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka and tighthead prop Fin Richardson – although all three have been involved with the squad before.
In the back row, Matt Fagerson has been included despite missing the end of season with Glasgow through injury but there is no place for Jack Dempsey, who had been sidelined since the Six Nations win over Wales in March. Forwards Andy Onyeama-Christie and Max Williamson are back in after injury.
Townsend said he was pleased to be able to recall Turner, who has signed for Harlequins for next season.
He said: 'I think when George went to Japan, we never knew whether that would be extended and he was there until the end of his career, which would make it very difficult for him to be considered for us, given the Japan season is played during the Six Nations.
George Turner is back in the Scotland squad (Brian Lawless/PA)
'So it was very good news that he got a club back in the UK and he was really keen to be back involved with us.'
Townsend believes some of the Scotland players who narrowly missed out on selection for the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia may yet get their chance.
He said: 'I don't want to say we hope that to happen because that means someone's been injured on the tour, but if someone does get injured, then we would like to feel that our players in a strong position. Some would have been very close to selection anyway.
'If they're playing in New Zealand or in Fiji and playing well, then that gives them an even bigger opportunity to potentially join the Lions tour.
'We've seen the weekend, unfortunately for us was Zander (Fagerson) being injured, but there will be injuries on the way to Australia and during the tour in Australia.
Rory Darge has been named Scotland captain for the summer tour (Andrew Milligan/PA)
'But the good thing for our players and those that maybe were closer to selection is they were so keen to come out and tour. They've had long seasons, but some of these players are in great form. I look at the weekend and seeing lots of Rory Darge and Tom Jordan still playing some of their best rugby at this time of the season.
'So that's great for us as we go to tour, but it should be also good for chances of getting on the Lions tour.'
Scotland Under-20 men's assistant coach Fergus Pringle has been appointed as forwards coach for the tour, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the Lions.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

BBC News

29 minutes ago

• BBC News

PCs conquer three peaks for retired service dogs

A team of police dog handlers has completed a gruelling mountaineering challenge in aid of retired service constables from Northamptonshire and a sergeant from Leicestershire scaled the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland in just over 25 have so far raised more than £3,000, which will be split between two charities."This was, without doubt, the hardest and most physically demanding challenge that any of us have ever done," said PC Bradley Bowman. "We know that the Three Peaks Challenge is meant to be done in under 24 hours but considering the awful weather and some traffic disruption along the way, we're really proud of ourselves for completing it in the time we did. "Our bodies are now in pieces!" PCs Bowman, Daniel Bradley-Brophy, Lucy Sculthorpe and Sean Foster from Northamptonshire Police were joined by Sgt Grace Feavyour from titanic trio of mountains total a height of 3408m (11,182ft) over a distance of 23 miles (37km).The sun was beaming down on the team as it started its ascent of Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands on 13 June but the heavens opened an hour into the climb and continued throughout the was a weather warning in force at Scafell Pike in Cumbria, where thunder crashed around them in the early hours of the following day. The challengers finished with their descent of the rain-soaked Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in Wales, that funds raised will go to the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals and Hero Paws - Life after Service, both of which look after dogs who have served with various organisations including the police, prison service and Border Force. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Daily Record

3 hours ago

• Daily Record

Sir Chris Hoy to be honoured at tonight's Pride of Scotland awards

Sports legend is one of 12 inspirational winners at our 2025 People's Oscars The countdown to the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards is over - and today we reveal the unsung heroes to be honoured at tonight's red carpet spectacular. Our glittering People's Oscars will see awe-inspiring Scots recognised for their acts of courage and kindness as well as a special award for Sir Chris Hoy. ‌ The six-time Olympic gold medallist, whose courage and dignity in the face of terminal cancer have inspired the nation, will be honoured with the first ever Scotland's Champion award. ‌ The sporting hero, who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023 which has now spread to his bones, cannot be at tonight's ceremony but is delighted with the recognition and has dedicated his award to everyone who is battling cancer right now. Speaking from his home in Cheshire Chris, 49, said: 'Thank you so much for this beautiful trophy as it really does mean a lot to me. It's been a tough couple of years but we are getting through. 'Knowing that we have this type of support from people across Scotland really lifts us up so I would like to dedicate this award to anybody who is going through a similar challenge right now. 'If you would like to support us go to the Tour de 4 website and find out the details of a mass participation cycle ride starting and finishing in Glasgow on the September 7 from which we aim to raise more than £1m for cancer charities across the country. 'It's also my aim to change perceptions of what a stage four cancer diagnosis might look like.' ‌ The inspirational dad-of-two, who after his diagnosis, said: 'You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible." Tonight guests at the Glasgow Hilton will hear a tribute to Edinburgh-born Chris, who started riding BMXs at the age of six, from the queen of daytime TV Lorraine Kelly. ‌ Lorraine, who is one of the 11-time cycling world champion's biggest fans, said: 'Sir Chris Hoy is one of our greatest ever sporting heroes, a leading light from British cycling's golden age and a giant of a man both in and out of the saddle. 'From an early age it was clear he had not just talent but the drive and determination to make it to the very top. 'When he retired from competition he was our greatest ever Olympian winning six gold medals across three Olympic Games but as we know a greater challenge than sporting glory lay ahead.' ‌ The ITV morning show host added: 'Despite his devastating diagnosis Sir Chris was determined to make a difference and him speaking out has already had a huge impact with charities reporting a surge of enquiries for tests. It's called the Chris Hoy effect and it's saved lives. 'He is also planning a charity bike ride not just to raise money but to send a positive message about living with cancer. I'm so proud to say that he is truly Scotland's Champion.' ‌ As well as the cycling legend the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with P&O Cruises will be honouring 11 unsung heroes. This year's Teenager of Courage is Georgie Hyslop, 16, who has channelled her energy into helping others and raised an incredible £51,000 despite her cancer diagnosis. Theo Hardie, seven, will pick up the Young Fundraiser award after running 100 miles to raise funds to buy his little brother Jude, three, a wheelchair. ‌ Plumber Stewart Miller, who risked his life during a killer storm to save a woman from drowning in the River Tay will receive an Outstanding Bravery award as will shop workers Bob Bell, Cheryl Gourlay, Aisha David and Osman David who tackled an armed robber during a raid on their store. Our Emergency Services award will go to Coastguard winch paramedic Norman Macleod, who braved storms to drop solo onto a ship where two sailors had suffered horrifying injuries. There will be Special Recognition awards for the Speirs Family, who run inspirational charity Calum's Cabin, 'Vape Crusader' Laura Young and shopkeepers Asiyah and Jawad Javed who have done so much for their local community. ‌ We will also be celebrating two King's Trust Young Achievers - Ashleigh Lancaster, 28, who started a business delivering mental health training to frontline workers and Shane Lee, 26, who has autism and has landed his dream job with M&S. There is a new category this year - the P&O Cruises Inspiration Award - which will go to the Ups and Downs Theatre group for children and young people with Down's syndrome and their siblings. Big names coming to celebrate at the show hosted by Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Kohl include Succession legend Brian Cox, who is getting ready to take the stage at the Dundee Rep in new play Make It Happen, and BGT legend Susan Boyle. ‌ Other stars attending include Sheli McCoy aka Sabre, Star Wars actor Denis Lawson, singers Nathan Evans, Calum Bowie and Cammy Barnes and Strictly's JJ Chalmers and Dr Punam Krishan. Love Island's Paige Turley and Saint Phnx's Stevie Jukes will be going live from the red carpet and presenter Laura Anderson will be manning the Pride of Scotland bar. ‌ First Minister John Swinney will also be there to celebrate the best of Scotland and there will be a performance from Britain's Got Talent finalist Vinnie McKee. It is gearing up to be the most spectacular night of the year. - Catch all the red carpet drama in tomorrow's Daily Record

Daily Mail​

5 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

The Lions Rampant: Mail Sport casts an eye over Scotland's proud links to the iconic red jersey and asks who would make an all-time Scots-only Lions select?

The death of Ian McLauchlan over the weekend makes it a compelling time to consider the rugby legends Scotland has contributed to the Lions cause over the years. From leading Lions points scorer Gavin Hastings to men like Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer — both of whom contributed so much in terms of playing and coaching — Scottish grit has been central to large chunks of what the Lions have achieved in the post-war era.