All Blacks head list of Scotland’s Autumn Test opponents

Scotland’s rugby team will play internationals against world champions New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga this November, it has been confirmed.

Scottish Rugby also announced a two-year broadcasting deal with the BBC to show the EMC Autumn Tests.

And Scotland could return to their roots by staging the first international in Glasgow for 127 years as the final game against Tonga will not be played at Murrayfield. The new home of Glasgow Warriors, the refurbished Scotstoun Stadium is a strong possibility to stage the game.

The venue is just over a mile away from Hamilton Crescent cricket ground – the scene of the last local international between the Scots and Wales in 1885. It is also close to Glasgow Academy, where the sport’s ruling body was formed in 1873.

Scotstoun, which can hold up to 15,000 fans, will be high on the list of likely venues after it successfully staged the recent Emirates Airlines Sevens.

Scotland will play the All Blacks and the Springboks at Murrayfield on Sunday 11 and Saturday 17 November respectively before facing the Tongans the following Saturday.

SRU chief executive Mark Dodson said: “We are delighted to announce our fixtures for the EMC Tests and firmly believe that these games will excite our fans. We’re also very pleased that we have secured a two-year broadcast deal with the BBC which will ensure ongoing maximum exposure across their extensive broadcast platforms and that’s good news for Scottish Rugby and our partners.”

Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport, said: “We’re delighted to be broadcasting Scottish Rugby’s autumn test matches though to 2013. This gives viewers further opportunities to enjoy live top- flight rugby union on the BBC.”

Meanwhile, head coach Andy Robinson will today name his summer tour squad for the matches against Australia on Tuesday 5 June in Newcastle, Fiji on Saturday 16 June and Samoa on the following Saturday.