Russell and Tuipulotu recalled for Scotland v New Zealand at Murrayfield

Sione Tuipulotu, captain, and fly-half Finn Russell have been recalled to Scotland's starting line-up for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield. Russell and Tuipulotu have 136 caps between them and neither featured in Scotland's last match against Fiji in July.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has restored Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie to the backs, with Dobie having come off the bench against Fiji. Rory Sutherland is the only starting forward to survive since that 33-17 victory. Ewan Ashman, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey and vice-captain Rory Darge all come into the pack.

Scotland's starting XV is Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

The replacements are Gregor Hiddleston, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Max Williamson, Josh Baylish, George Horne, Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn; the bench is otherwise made up of similarly experienced players, other than three-times capped Gregor Hiddleston.

New Zealand's starting line-up is Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor (capt), Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi.

The All Blacks' replacements are Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Christian Lio-Willie, Anton Segner, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Rieko Ioane.

Saturday's Test at Murrayfield is the first of three this month for Scotland. Australia and Japan will also visit Edinburgh later in the month.