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‘Ford is well worth his record-breaking appearance,’ says Scotland chief Townsend

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has hailed standard-bearer Ross Ford as he prepares to make history for his country.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has hailed standard-bearer Ross Ford as he prepares to make history for his country.

The 33-year-old hooker, who made his first Scotland appearance against Australia in August 2004, is set to earn his 110th cap at Townsend’s side take on Fiji in their final summer tour Test on Saturday, taking him clear of current joint record-holder Chris Paterson.

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In-form Scotland have already beaten Italy and Australia during their Southern Hemisphere voyage and boss Townsend believes that Edinburgh Rugby stalwart Ford deserves his moment in the sun at ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Paying tribute to his veteran hooker, Townsend said: “His mindset and work-rate; Ross loves everything about being a rugby player.

“He puts in the work in the gym and the training field, which is the reason why he is still playing really well after 109 caps.

“We’ve seen it on this tour. He has driven a lot of the standards. It’s really good from our perspective that we have two hookers (Ford and Fraser Brown) who are competing for that position.”

Ford isn’t the only Scotland player due to mark a personal landmark against the Fijians, with Glasgow Warriors centre Nick Grigg in line to make his debut.

“We believe this is the right time to give him an opportunity,” said Townsend.

“He was close to being involved against Italy. We think his link with Duncan (Taylor) will be great for him in his first Test match.”

Townsend has made 12 changes to the XV that started last weekend’s fine 24-19 victory over Australia in Sydney, with Finn Russell having joined the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand while Alex Dunbar and Magnus Bradbury also having departed the tour early.

Ruaridh Jackson comes in at full-back while Alex Allan and WP Nel operating alongside Ford.

Jonny Gray and Tim Swinson are deployed in the second row while John Barclay, Josh Strauss and John Hardie make up the Scottish back row.

Scotland team to play Fiji:

Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins)

Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh)

Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors)

Duncan Taylor (Saracens)

Tim Visser (Harlequins)

Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors)

Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors)

Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors)

Ross Ford (Edinburgh)

WP Nel (Edinburgh)

Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)

Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)

John Barclay (capt) (Scarlets)

John Hardie (Edinburgh)

Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements:

Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)

Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors)

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)

Ben Toolis (Edinburgh)

Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)

Ryan Wilson (Edinburgh)

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)

Greig Tonks (London Irish)