Skinner is rewarded with Scotland debut

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is looking forward to seeing Exeter Chiefs’ Exeter-born former England Under-20 lock Sam Skinner play Test rugby.

Skinner, who qualifies for Scotland through his Ayr-born father, will make his Test debut after being named in the Scot’s starting line-up to face Fiji at Murrayfield tomorrow.

Townsend said yesterday: “We’re looking forward to seeing how Sam plays. He has trained really well and has performed well for Exeter over the last couple of seasons.

“He’s a very mobile second row. He has played a lot of rugby in the back row and he has finished a lot of games in the back row for the Chiefs, so we’re keen to see that in action,” added the Dark Blues’ boss, who is also thrusting Glasgow Warriors’ Stuart Hogg back into Test action just seven weeks after the fullback’s ankle surgery.

Cornish Pirates’ Camborneborn hooker Sam Matavesi has been named in Fiji’s starting XV for the Edinburgh clash.

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis will win his 34th cap for Wales, after he was named yesterday in their starting XV to face Australia in Cardiff tomorrow.