The first two Autumn Nations Series fixtures are finally here, and the teams for the opening weekend are now released.
Scotland host Tonga at BT Murrayfield in the first game of the Autumn Nations Series in what is the home side’s first game since their successful 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Wales then host New Zealand at Principality Stadium in the second match of the day, with the Six Nations holders taking on the Rugby Championship winners in what should be a thriller in Cardiff.
Scotland v Tonga, BT Murrayfield, KO 2.30pm (GMT) Saturday
Scotland welcome four uncapped players to their squad to face the Pacific Islanders, with several of their British & Irish Lions also recalled to the squad.
Scotland: 15. Darcy Graham, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Sione Tuipulotu, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Rufus McLean, 10. Blair Kinghorn, 9. Ali Price (cc); 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Jamie Hodgson, 5. Rob Harley 6. Jamie Ritchie (cc), 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Oli Kebble, 19. Marshall Sykes, 20. Luke Crosbie, 21. Nick Haining, 22. Jamie Dobie, 23. Ross Thompson
Tonga have named eight uncapped players, with experienced half-back pairing of Kurt Morath and captain Sonatane Takalua back in the squad as Tonga look to repeat their 2012 heroics.
Tonga: 15. James Faiva, 14. Atunaisa Manu, 13. Mailetoa Hingano, 12. Vaea Vaea, 11. Walter Fifita, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Sonatane Takulua ©; 1. Loni Uhila, 2. Maile Ngauamo, 3. David Lolohea, 4. Halaleva Fifita, 5. Setofano Funaki, 6. Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 8. Valentino Mapapalangi
Replacements: 16. Suia Maile, 17. Jethro Felemi, 18. Toma Taufa, 19. Dan Faleafa, 20. Onehunga Havili, 21. Mateaki Kafatolu, 22. Aisea Halo, 23. Navarre Haisila
Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium, KO 5.15pm (GMT) Saturday
Alun Wyn Jones will become the most-capped player in Test rugby history for his country, as he makes his 149th Test appearance for Wales, overtaking Richie McCaw.
Wales: 15. Johnny McNicholl, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Taine Basham, 8. Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: 16. Kirby Myhill, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Seb Davies, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Ben Thomas
Beauden Barrett will earn his 100th cap for the All Blacks in Cardiff, and he is joined by his brother Jordie in the backline, whilst Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick return to face Jones and Adam Beard.
New Zealand: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. David Havili, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara; 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Ardie Savea
Replacements:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Tupou Vaa’I, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Richie Mo’unga, 23. Sevu Reece
