Twelve Warriors set for Samoa clash

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named 12 Glasgow Warriors in the matchday 23 for Friday’s meeting with Samoa in Auckland, as his side looks to close out their Skyscanner Pacific Tour by bouncing back from last weekend’s defeat to Fiji.

Amongst the Glasgow contingent will be Fin Richardson, with the tight-head prop set to make his senior international debut after being named amongst the replacements.

The call caps an impressive first 12 months at Scotstoun for the 26-year-old, having made eight appearances for the Warriors in addition to representing Scotland A and featuring in victory over the Maori All Blacks a fortnight ago.

Rory Darge will once again lead the squad from the openside flank, with Kyle Steyn – who made his first appearance for Scotland since last summer’s tour of the Americas last weekend – serving as once of the back-rower’s vice-captains for the second successive fixture.

Rory Sutherland starts at loose-head after having received a call-up to the British & Irish Lions squad earlier this week, with the prop set to travel from Auckland to Australia upon the conclusion of the match.

Gregor Brown has recovered from a head injury picked up a fortnight ago and will start in the second-row, whilst Matt Fagerson has also shaken off an ankle injury sustained in Suva last Saturday to continue at number eight.

Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie once again starts at scrum-half, with Stafford McDowall coming into the midfield after captaining the side to victory against the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei.

Kyle Rowe lines up at full-back, having scored Scotland’s opening try in Suva last weekend to continue a rich vein of form across 2025.

Nathan McBeth joins Richardson as the cover at prop on the bench, whilst George Horne and Adam Hastings cover the back-line in a six-two split of forwards and backs amongst the replacements.

Supporters can watch the match live on Premier Sports and BBC Scotland this Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 8.35am UK time.