Inexperienced Fiji team tasked with making history

Shorn of the majority of their Rugby World Cup 2023 stars, Fiji have named a starting XV for Saturday's clash with Scotland exclusively drawn from Super Rugby outfit Fijian Drua.

With the Murrayfield match falling outside of the international Test window, European-based players such as former captain Waisea Nayacalevu (Sale Sharks) and fellow midfielders, Josua Tuisova (Racing 92) and Semi Radradra (Lyon) are not available to head coach Mick Byrne.

Only six players from the matchday 23 that lost to England in last year's World Cup quarter-final are included in Fiji's first squad of the Autumn Nations Series, as they look to beat Scotland at Murrayfield for the first time.

Scrum-half Frank Lomani is the only starting back to be selected from that game, with Simi Kuruvoli also returning to provide cover from the bench.

Upfront, the survivors from the England defeat include captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere, lock Isoa Nasilasila and flankers Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira.

Now that Paris Olympics silver medalist Ponipate Loganimasi has switched from sevens and inside-centre Inia Tabuavou and cross-code winger Vuate Karawalevu have moved from Racing 92 and the Waratahs, all 15 players in the starting line-up to face Scotland will be playing for Fijian Drua next season.

Only reserve tight-head Jone Koroiduadua, who has agreed to move to MLR side New England Free Jacks, will be playing their club rugby elsewhere in 2025.

Byrne has named two uncapped players on the bench in Kemueli Valetini, the brother of Wallabies star Rob, and fellow back Waqa Nalaga.

Seventeen of the 23-man squad helped Fiji to win the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup back in September.

Fiji team to play Scotland:

15. Isaiah Ravula; 14. Vuate Karawalevu, 13. Apisalome Vota, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (capt.), 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 6. Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata.

Reps: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Livai Natave, 18. Jone Koroiduadua, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simi Kuruvoli, 22. Kemueli Valetini*, 23. Waqa Nalaga*.

*uncapped