Fagerson returns as 11 Warriors set for Tonga clash

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 27: Zander Fagerson during a Scotland Men's Rugby training session at the Oriam, on October 27, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The tight-head is one of 11 Glasgow Warriors selected in the matchday 23 for Sunday’s clash, having been sidelined since April’s victory over Leicester Tigers at Scotstoun.

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Rory Sutherland joins his fellow British & Irish Lions prop in the front-row, the loose-head having recovered from a concussion sustained against New Zealand a fortnight ago.

An all-Glasgow Warriors second-row partnership sees Alex Samuel and Max Williamson paired together in the engine room, resuming their familiar combination that has seen them impress for both club and Scotland U20 during their careers to date.

Behind the scrum, Sione Tuipulotu captains the side once more from inside centre, with Ollie Smith coming into the starting XV to line up in the number 13 jersey.

Kyle Rowe starts on the wing for his first appearance since the 85-0 victory over the USA at the start of the month, having made more carries than any other player and assisted four of Scotland’s 13 tries in the record-breaking win.

Nathan McBeth and George Horne are both retained amongst the replacements, with both men having been unused substitutes during last weekend’s defeat to Argentina.

Stafford McDowall is another to return to the matchday 23 for the first time since victory over the USA, whilst Kyle Steyn rotates to the bench after starting in both of Scotland’s last two matches.

Kick-off on Sunday is scheduled for 1.40pm, with all the action live on TNT Sports.

Scotland team to play Tonga in the Quilter Nations Series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Sunday 23 November, kick-off 1:40pm – live on TNT Sports (caps in brackets):

15 Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (11)
14 Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (15)
13 Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (11)
12 Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (32) – Captain
11 Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (51)
10 Fergus Burke – Saracens (2)
9 Ben White – Toulon (30) – Vice-captain

1 Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (44)
2 George Turner – Harlequins (49)
3 Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (75)
4 Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (2)
5 Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (8)
6 Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens) (9)
7 Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (60) Vice-captain
8 Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby (20)

Replacements

16 Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (31)
17 Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (4)
18 Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (9)
19 Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (6)
20 Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (13)
21 George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (39)
22 Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (15)
23 Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (27)