Scotland to play twelves fixtures in 2014

Vern Cotter will replace Scott Johnson as Scotland head coach in June. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

In addition to five RBS Six Nations fixtures, they will also face a busy June with a four-Test summer tour.

New Zealander Vern Cotter is set to replace Scott Johnson as head coach in June, so he should be in place for the first international against the United States in Houston on Saturday, 7 June.

Scotland then head to Toronto on Saturday, 14 June to face Canada before journeying on to Argentina and then South Africa for fixtures on Saturday, 21 June, and Saturday, 28 June respectively. Venues for the Pumas and Springboks Tests have yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the SRU have also confirmed next year’s autumn Tests, which will be opened by a return match against Argentina on 8 or 9 November World champions New Zealand then head to Murrayfield on 15 or 16 November while Tonga will close out the three-match series on 22 or 23 November.

With ticket sales already well advanced ahead of the Six Nations, the SRU expects further large turn-outs for the autumn Tests.

Dominic McKay, the SRU’s director of commercial operations, communications and public affairs, said: “The past year has seen a cumulative attendance of more than 500,000 for our top-of-the-bill Scottish rugby matches and the innovations we’ve introduced to reward supporters’ loyalty – including our season pass - have proved very popular.

“We will have five home  Scotland matches in the 2014 calendar year and we will be working hard – both on and  off the field – to deliver a memorable day out for all Scotland supporters.”

Gavin Scott, the Scotland team manager, added: “We’re awaiting confirmation from our counterparts in Argentina and South Africa as to where our (summer) Test matches will be staged.

“I know from my own planning trip to North America that there’s a lot of excitement in both the US and Canada about our Tests there and I’m sure Scotland supporters will be out in force at all of our summer Tests.”

FIXTURE LIST

Sunday 2 February Ireland v Scotland Six Nations Championship

Saturday 8 February Scotland v England Six Nations Championship

Saturday 22 February Italy v Scotland Six Nations Championship

Saturday 8 March Scotland v France Six Nations Championship

Saturday 15 March Wales v Scotland Six Nations Championship

Saturday 7 June US Eagles v Scotland Summer Test match

Saturday 14 June Canada v Scotland Summer Test match

Saturday 21 June Argentina v Scotland Summer Test match

Saturday 28 June South Africa v Scotland Summer Test match

Weekend of 8 November Scotland v Argentina Autumn Test match

Weekend of 15 November Scotland v New Zealand Autumn Test match

Weekend of 22 November Scotland v Tonga Autumn Test match