Scotland will return to Nations Championship action this weekend as the mighty All Blacks visit Murrayfield in the first of four November Test matches for the men’s national team.
The current group of players once again have a shot at history as they bid to becomes the first ever Scotland side to beat New Zealand. As ever, it means there are some big decisions for head coach Gregor Townsend to make when he names his 23-man squad for the contest.
Here is The Scotsman’s predicted starting XV and replacements for the fixture and where we think some of the potentially match defining selections could be made:
9. Ben White
The Toulon man is the definition of consistency to the point where it's hard to remember him having a poor game for his country ever. That's why he retains the starting nine jersey every international window despite stiff competition | SNS Group
10. Finn Russell
Still one of the best stand-offs on the planet and absolutely essential to the way Scotland play and there chances of getting a famous result this weekend | SNS Group
11. Kyle Steyn
Has established himself as one of the key players to Scotland's game plan over the past 18 months. The winger is so influential, terrific under the high ball and deadly when he turns the gas on. | SNS Group / SRU
12. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Sione Tuipulotu during a Scottish Rugby training session at the Oriam, on November 02, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
We can all be guilty of throwing the term 'world class' around too freely at times but if you could only pick one Scotland player in this category it would be the skipper. When he's at his best both offensively and defensively he's on another level. | SNS Group / SRU