News & Features International Scotland Men

Ashman and Schoeman named for All Blacks test

5 Nov 2026

Ewan Ashman will start at hooker and Pierre Schoeman is named among the replacements as Scotland open the November series of the Nations Championship against New Zealand at Scottish Gas Murrayfield this Saturday (7 November, kick-off 2.10pm).

Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named an experienced matchday 23 for the visit of the All Blacks, with Scotland searching for a first-ever victory over New Zealand.

Ashman, who wins his 38th cap, packs down in the front row alongside Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson, while Schoeman is set to win his 53rd cap from the bench at loosehead.

Ashman returns to the Scotland No.2 jersey after starting the Nations Championship opener in Córdoba in July, where Scotland claimed a record 47-38 win over Argentina.

The British & Irish Lion is Scotland’s all-time leading try-scoring forward, and he crossed against New Zealand the last time the All Blacks visited Scottish Gas Murrayfield in November 2025.

Schoeman brought up his half-century of Scotland caps in Argentina in July, marking the occasion with a try, and was on the scoresheet again as Scotland overcame Fiji 33-17 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield to close out the Southern Series.

The 2025 British & Irish Lion reached 150 appearances for Edinburgh last season and now has the chance to add to his 52 Scotland caps against the world’s most famous side.

Scotland sit second in the Northern Hemisphere table after the Southern Series, which brought away wins over Argentina and Fiji and a 42-28 defeat to South Africa in Pretoria.

New Zealand, under head coach Dave Rennie, arrive in Edinburgh unbeaten in the competition after July home wins over France, Italy and Ireland.

The All Blacks have never lost to Scotland in a rivalry dating back to 1905, but recent meetings have been tight – most recently a 25-17 New Zealand win at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last November.

Scotland team to play New Zealand in the Nations Championship at Scottish Gas Murrayfield
Saturday 7 November 2026, live on ITV Sport, kick-off 2.10pm; caps in brackets:

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (19)

14. Kyle Steyn – Vice-Captain Glasgow Warriors (35)
13. Huw Jones – Toulon (63)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Captain – Glasgow Warriors (41)
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (22)

10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (95)
9. Ben White – Toulon (38)

1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (51)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (37)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (84)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (19)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (52)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (66)
7. Rory Darge – Vice-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (41)
8. Jack Dempsey – Toshiba Brave Lupus (35)

Replacements

16. Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors (3)
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (52)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (11)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (15)
20. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (18)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (47)
22. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (20)
23. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (68)