Rugby: Scots make changes for Samoa clash

Fresh from achieving their highest points total in a Test for 24 matches – and the highest under coach Andy Robinson – when Fiji were dispatched 37-25, Scotland’s rugby team have made three changes for their concluding tour game against Samoa on Saturday.

An alteration at No. 8 was inevitable once John Barclay returned home to prepare for his wedding and up steps Richie Vernon, while Sean Lamont and Chris Cusiter replace Max Evans and Mike Blair.

The latter alteration means Blair is likely to have to come off the bench – subs will be named later – to become Scotland’s third most-capped player on his 83rd appearance.

Against Fiji, Greig Laidlaw contributed 22 points in Scotland’s biggest total since Canada were routed 41-0 in 2008 and a similar return would put the Edinburgh stand off eighth in the all-time scorers list in only his tenth international.

Scotland: Hogg, S Lamont (both Glasgow), De Luca, Scott, Visser, Laidlaw (all Edinburgh), Cusiter (Glasgow), Grant (Glasgow), Ford (Edinburgh, captain), Murray (Newcastle), Gray (Sale), Kellock (Glasgow), Strokosch (Perpignan), Vernon (Sale), Rennie (Edinburgh).