Scotland to play Wallabies and All Blacks in Autumn series

LONDON: Scotland will face Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at Murrayfield during this year’s Autumn international campaign, the Scotish Rugby Union announced Thursday.

The Scots will be seeking to reboot their morale a year out from the World Cup ater a disappointing Six Nations campaign which went downhill ater an opening win over England.

They eventually finished fourth.

The Wallabies, coached by former Glasgow boss Dave Rennie, will be Scotland’s opening opponents on October 29 in the first of four Tests across consecutive weekends.

Scotland have won their last three games against Australia, although the Wallabies are ranked sixth in the world -- once place higher than the Dark Blues.

Following Fiji’s visit on Nov. 5, Scotland will bid for their first win against New Zealand in 117 years of matches against the All Blacks.

In 31 fixtures, the Scots have suffered 29 defeats and managed two draws with the Rugby union superpower.

This year’s match will be New Zealand’s first fixure at Murrayfield since 2017 when Beauden Barret denied Scotland’s Stuart Hogg a lastminute try in a match the All Blacks won 22-17.

Argentina, who Scotland are due to face during a three-test tour in July, will finish the Edinburgh campaign on November 19.

Scotland coach Gregor 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 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.”

The former Scotland playmaker added: “Our contest against New Zealand will be eagerly anticipated by our supporters and players alike, providing world-class opposition.