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Scotland confirm 2022 Autumn Nations Series opponents

Darcy Graham celebrates scoring their first try with Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell 12/2/2022
Scotland will face the All Blacks for the first time since 2017 after confirming their schedule for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, with Gregor Townsend’s side also set to host Australia, Fiji and Argentina.

Scotland will face the All Blacks for the first time since 2017 after confirming their schedule for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, with Gregor Townsend’s side also set to host Australia, Fiji and Argentina.

Australia will be first up at BT Murrayfield, led by head coach Dave Rennie, who was formerly in charge at Glasgow Warriors, and assisted by former Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor.

The Wallabies are currently sitting sixth in the world rankings, one place ahead of Scotland, but the hosts will be aiming to defeat their Aussie counterparts for a fourth consecutive time, having edged a close encounter 15-13 when the sides last met last year.

Fiji will follow on Saturday 5 November and mark the first time the two sides have met since 2018 when Tommy Seymour scored a hat-trick in an entertaining 54-17 win for the hosts.

The All Blacks will then make their long-awaited return to BT Murrayfield having last visited Edinburgh in 2017 when Scotland came agonisingly close to victory before losing 22-17.

Scotland’s final test will be against Argentina who Scotland will be familiar with after playing them in a three-Test summer tour this July.

The sides last met in Edinburgh 2018, with Sean Maitland’s try and nine points from the boot of Greig Laidlaw helping the hosts to a 14-9 victory at BT Murrayfield.

Townsend said: “The Autumn Nations Series provides a great opportunity for us to take on some of the leading teams in the southern hemisphere in front of our supporters as we look to improve ahead of next year’s Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup.

“We know Australia well having played them a number of times over recent years and it’s always a special occasion when they come to BT Murrayfield.

“Fiji are an exciting team to watch with their free flowing and powerful brand of rugby, and they can be one of the best teams in the world when they get their game right.

“Our contest against New Zealand will be eagerly anticipated by our supporters and players alike, providing world-class opposition. We’re really looking forward to playing them after missing out on the opportunity on two occasions over the past two years due to Covid.

“Our final fixture will be against Argentina which will be another familiar challenge for our squad on the back of this summer’s tour to South America. This final fixture means we will have played three out of the four Rugby Championship sides in a month which will be a great experience for our players.”

Autumn Nations Series Fixtures 2022

Scotland v Australia | Saturday 29 October, kick-off 5.30pm Scotland v Fiji | Saturday 5 November, kick-off 1pm Scotland v New Zealand | Sunday 13 November, kick-off 2.15pm Scotland v Argentina | Saturday 19 November, kick-off 3.15pm