Scotland restore Russell and Tuipulotu in sweeping team changes

Scotland have restored Finn Russell and captain Sione Tuipulotu to their starting side in an extensive reshuffle announced on Thursday. Gregor Townsend's selection for the Nations Championship match against New Zealand brings both players back into the XV after neither started July's 33-17 victory over Fiji, BBC Sport reported. Tuipulotu appeared as a replacement in that match.

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The confirmed backline pairs Russell with scrum-half Ben White, while Tuipulotu joins Huw Jones in midfield. Jamie Dobie and Kyle Steyn take the wing positions, with Kyle Rowe named at full-back. Reuters published the complete team following the announcement, confirming the return of several established players across the side rather than changes confined to the captaincy or half-backs.

Rory Sutherland starts alongside hooker Ewan Ashman and tighthead prop Zander Fagerson in the front row. Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings form the second row, with Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey completing the pack. According to BBC Sport, Sutherland is the only forward retained from the starting line-up that beat Fiji. Darge is also vice-captain.

The replacements named in the Reuters team list are Gregor Hiddleston, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Max Williamson, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn. That leaves Horne and Jordan among the backline alternatives, with Kinghorn also on the bench. BBC Sport noted that the reserve group is experienced apart from Hiddleston, who has three international caps.

New Zealand have also named their side, with Codie Taylor selected as captain and Beauden Barrett at full-back, according to the BBC's published line-ups. Damian McKenzie starts at fly-half alongside Cam Roigard. All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie previously coached Glasgow Warriors, as did Townsend, while former Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair is now part of Rennie's coaching staff.

Scottish Rugby has confirmed that the match takes place at Murrayfield on Saturday, November 7, with a 2.10pm kick-off. It begins three consecutive home weekends for Scotland, followed by Australia on November 15 and Japan on November 21. The November programme then concludes with the Nations Championship finals weekend in London; Scotland's opponent there has not yet been confirmed.