Auckland-born Tom Jordan, a 26-year-old who only made his professional debut two years ago, has been brought straight into Gregor Townsend’s team for the Autumn Nations Series match against Fiji on Sunday.
The former champion swimmer left New Zealand amateur rugby in 2019 to play in Scotland and stayed on, due to Covid restrictions on his travel.
Having just satisfied the eligibility rules by staying there for five years, he has been picked at first opportunity by Townsend – and joins a squad with a huge southern hemisphere flavour.
“He brings an energy, an aggression to the game that’s going to be slightly different to what you normally see at Test level at 10,” said Townsend of Jordan.
“He’s really worked hard on his basic skills, his fundamentals of kicking, kick-offs, passing. He’s going to add something to our back line when he comes on.”
Aussie Sione Tuipulotu has been named captain, with former Wallaby Jack Dempsey at No.8 and South African born star Duhan van der Merwe also selected.
Fiji coach Mick Byrne has been restricted by the international window to picking players solely from Fijian Drua. That includes a potential debut off the bench for Wallaby star Rob Valetini’s brother Kemueli Valetini.
The flyhalf/inside centre Jordan’s rise with Scotland’s Glasgow Warriors has been meteoric and he was named on the bench with Finn Russell ruled out due to the Test falling outside the international window.
After leaving New Zealand and the Hamilton Old Boys (where he was picked for the Waikato Academy) to join Ayrshire Bulls in 2019, he was noticed by then Glasgow and later Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and invited to train with the Scottish giants.
He signed pro terms with Glasgow in late 2021 but didn’t debut until current head coach Franco Smith took command of the Warriors in 2022.
Earlier this year, Jordan told the Lads Talking Footy podcast that he initially came to Britain intending a short stay but stuck around due to the Covid pandemic.
Tom Jordan of Glasgow Warriors. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“Before I was like, oh, whatever, just see what happens, but I think as I’ve gone on more, and being more consistent with Glasgow, I think it’s definitely something that I can aim for,” Jordan said.
“International rugby would be pretty cool. That’s the top level. Scotland are moving up as one of the top teams. So that would be a pretty cool goal, to play international rugby. To strive towards that would be pretty awesome, and I think if you’ve got that goal, I think a lot of other things take care of themselves.”
British Lions rep Ali Price will make his first Scotland start in over a year.
The 31-year-old has kept out Glasgow pair George Horne and Jamie Dobie.
Capped 66 times, Price was first choice for Scotland until the end of 2022, but made just one appearance as a substitute during this year’s Six Nations.
“We feel this year Ali’s played really well when Edinburgh have gone well, the last two games in particular,” said Townsend.
“George and Jamie are competing really hard with Ben, who will be available for us next week, so we see the four of them as all having their different attributes.
“We’ve gone for Ali because we believe he’s in the best form right now. He looked really refreshed after having a summer off.
“Ali’s a Lion, he’s a quality player. George and Jamie are quality players too, so we have really good depth at nine and Ali’s got an opportunity this week.”
Only six players from Fiji’s 23 that lost to England in last year’s World Cup quarterfinal are included in Fiji’s first squad of the Nations Series, as they look to beat Scotland at Murrayfield for the first time.
Scrumhalf Frank Lomani is the only starting back to be selected from that game, with Simi Kuruvoli also returning to provide cover from the bench.
In the forwards the survivors from the England defeat include captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere, lock Isoa Nasilasila and flanks Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira.
All 23 players in the squad to face Scotland will be playing for Fijian Drua next season.
Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Sunday Nov 3, 4.40am AEDT
Scotland: Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Ali Price, Adam Hastings, Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Kyle Rowe.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, D’Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall.
Fiji: Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (captain), Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Ponipate Loganimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Apisalome Vota, Vuate Karawalevu, Isaiah Ravula.
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Simi Kuruvoli, Kemueli Valetini, Waqa Nalaga.
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