Four selected for Samoa showdown in Auckland

Edinburgh Rugby is set to be well-represented in the Scotland squad taking on Samoa this Friday, with Ewan Ashman, Grant Gilchrist, Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster all featuring in Gregor Townsend's matchday 23.

It marks Scotland’s first appearance in Auckland since the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with the team aiming for a historic first-ever victory at Eden Park.

Ewan Ashman earns a starting berth at hooker, and will be looking to make a big impact before he joins the British & Irish Lions squad in Australia this Sunday.

Second-row Grant Gilchrist, a key leader for both club and country, continues as vice-captain. His experience and power in the engine room will be crucial against a physical Samoan side.

Providing vital impact from the bench are two more Edinburgh forwards. Lock Marshall Sykes will offer a strong option in the second row, ready to bring his physicality to the contest.

Back-row Ben Muncaster makes a welcome return to the squad, having recovered from the leg injury he sustained in the tour’s opening game.

The match kicks off at 7:35pm local time in Auckland (8.35am UK time) on Friday (18 July) and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports and BBC Scotland (online and iPlayer).

Samoa v Scotland, Friday 18 July 2025, kick-off 7.35pm (local time)
(Friday 18 July 2025, kick-off 8.35am (UK time) Eden Park, Auckland.
Live on Premier Sports and BBC Scotland (Online and iPlayer)

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (13)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – VICE-CAPTAIN (24)
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (10)
12. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (13)
11. Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (3)

10. Fergus Burke – Saracens (1)
9. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (13)

1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (42)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (28)
3. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (8)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (9)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – VICE-CAPTAIN (81)
6. Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens (8)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – CAPTAIN (31)
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (56)

Replacements

16. George Turner – Harlequins (46)
17. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (2)
18. Fin Richardson – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
19. Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers (1)
20. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
21. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
22. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (37)
23. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (33)