The last of the November tour previews examines Scotland, South Africa, Tonga, Wales, and the United States. Read on for fixtures, detailed squad lists, injury updates, and possible lineup permutations.
Five uncapped players have been named in an extensive Scottish squad by caretaker coach Scott Johnson. Two of them, Blair Cowan and Kieran Low, come from London Irish and qualify through ancestry. Highly promising lock Jonny Gray, brother of Richie, is still only 19 and captain of the u20 squad that also graduated equally touted centre Mark Bennett. Speedy flanker Chris Fusaro has been given his chance with Ross Rennie still short of match fitness. Also unavailable through injury are Steve Lawrie (back), Ryan Wilson (shoulder), Peter Horne (knee), Tim Visser (fibula) and fullbacks Stuart Hogg (wrist) and Peter Murchie (shoulder).
Kelly Brown continues as captain, and is joined in the squad by the other ‘Killer B’s’, Johnnie Beattie and fit again John Barclay. Former Lions scrumhalf Chris Cusiter is back in the fold after a year-long battle with a bad shoulder, and Duncan Weir’s broken leg has mended. Sean Lamont is the most experienced man in the squad as he looks set to win his 80th cap against Japan, with Lions tourist Sean Maitland in line to cover the vacant fullback spot.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 14:30 GMT – vs Japan – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11/17 – 15:00 GMT – vs South Africa – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11/23 – 18:00 GMT – vs Australia – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
It’s back to the future for Heyneke Meyer’s men, as golden oldies Bakkies Botha, Jaque Fourie, Gio Aplon, and somewhat less geriatric J.P. Pietersen join Fourie du Preez and Gurtrho Steenkamp in a massively experienced Springbok squad. Talented flyhalf Johan Goosen is recalled after having barely recovered from a serious knee injury, though Frans Steyn is left out, instead opting to have surgery on a troublesome leg problem caused by compartment syndrome.
With Jannie du Plessis burnt out and suffering from shoulder and hand issues, Meyer will look to uncapped duo Lourens Adriaanse and Frans Malherbe to fill the tighthead role. Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder are unlikely to see test action, but second row Pieter-Steph du Toit, who turned heads with a massive performance in the Currie Cup final, looks ready to break through into the senior side. Jean de Villiers remains captain and is set to resume his World Cup centre partnership with Japan-based Fourie, back in the team for the first time since that tournament in France.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 17:30 GMT – vs Wales – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
11/17 – 15:00 GMT – vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11/23 – 20:00 GMT – vs France – Stade de France, Paris
The abrasive islanders have a strong group of players available for their three-match tour. France-based Sona Taumalolo and Tevita Mailau bolster the front row after missing the Pacific Nations Cup, and are joined in the pack by powerhouse duo Sione Kalamafoni and Opeti Fonua. Viliame Ma’afu also makes a welcome return to the back of the scrum, while big Vungakoto Lilo has been recalled at fullback.
Newcomers to the squad include ITM Cup duo Suliasi Taufalele and Latiume Fosita, aggressive lock Uili Kolo’ofai, and Japan-based flyhalf Richard Kaufusi, a former national age grade captain. Impressive centre combination Sione Piukala and Siale Piutau return, but there is no room for Soane Tonga’uiha, Steve Mafi, or Joe Tuineau. Inspirational flanker Nili Latu will again lead the team.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 16:00 GMT – vs Romania – Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
11/16 – 17:00 GMT – vs France – Stade Oceane, Le Havre
11/22 – 19:30 GMT – vs Wales – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Mike Tolkin has selected a big squad to mix-and-match as availability continues to be an issue for his team. The Eagles have had a tumultuous year to say the least, having failed to win a single test thus far in seven attempts, but redeemed themselves somewhat by exceeding expectations in the recently completed ARC. John Cullen, Tai Tuisamoa, Tim Maupin, and Joe Cowley have all been rewarded for their good showings in that tournament, and are joined by fellow rookies Patrick Latu and Kyle Sumsion, at least for the Maori match.
A knee injury to Blake Burdette means that Oliver Kilifi joins the team, but it’s unclear whether he will take part in the full tour. Mike MacDonald, Brian Doyle, John Quill, Liam Murphy, Louis Stanfill, and James Paterson all join Burdette on the sidelines, while Danny Barrett was unavailable with school commitments. Veterans Chris Biller and Takudzwa Ngwenya are absent, with the former out of form and the latter required by injury-ravaged Biarritz. Both are expected to return for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay in March.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 22:00 EST – vs NZ Maori – PPL Park, Philadelphia
11/16 – 10:00 GMT – vs Georgia – Poladi Stadium, Rustavi
11/23 – 15:00 GMT – vs Russia – Allianz Park, London
After a victorious Six Nations and Lions series, Wales have a busy month ahead with four tough fixtures in Cardiff. Craig Mitchell, Matthew Rees, Jamie Roberts, and Alex Cuthbert all miss out due to injury but the squad is otherwise in good health, and includes discarded Bayonne scrumhalf Mike Phillips. The new boys are u20 stars Rhodri Williams and Cory Allen, and flying Ospreys winger Eli Walker, who looked set to make his debut against the Springboks only to suffer a hamstring injury in training that makes him questionable for the entire series.
Aaron Jarvis and Luke Charteris return after long-term injuries, while a return to form sees World Cup flyhalf Rhys Priestland restored to the squad. Gethin Jenkins, currently parked on 98 caps, is set to become the 4th Welshman to win 100 caps for his country, with Adam Jones on course to break 90 at the same time. Clermont fullback Lee Byrne has been disappointingly overlooked, though he may earn a reprieve with Walker now in doubt. Sam Warburton has stepped back into the captaincy following his successful stint with the Lions.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 17:30 GMT – vs South Africa – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
11/16 – 14:30 GMT – vs Argentina – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
11/22 – 19:30 GMT – vs Tonga – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
11/30 – 17:00 GMT – vs Australia – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
