SINGAPORE has finally been confirmed as the venue for Scotland’s Test match against Italy this summer, the first to be played by the national side under incoming coach Gregor Townsend. As previously announced, the squad will then travel on to play Australia in Sydney then Fiji in Suva, with the three matches taking place on successive Saturdays in June.
“We're pleased to confirm our 2017 summer tour will take us to Singapore, Sydney and Suva, where our players will relish the challenges presented by tough opposition, travel and climate in a concentrated and intense period of rugby,” Townsend said yesterday. “Touring builds strong bonds in a group, and, in addition [to] our preparation camp, this time together will be invaluable for our new coaching team as we strive to further improve the squad.
“We want to get the players used to working with us - what we want to do in terms of attack, defence and our philosophy of playing the game. Spending time with the players will help to facilitate that.”
Townsend, who will move to Murrayfield from Glasgow at the end of the season, believes the three-match series offers a variety of conditions and opponents, which will give him a chance to assess the adaptability and versatility of his squad. “We have three cracking games - three proper Test matches,” he continued. “[In Singapore] we’ll be playing in an indoor stadium, dealing with jet lag and playing in Asia, where the World Cup will be.
“Moving on to Australia, we have an afternoon game there against one of the best teams in the world, and Fiji is an environment we’re not used to every week. Three different teams as well - we obviously play Italy in the Six Nations, but the Australian way is different, moving the ball as much as possible, while the Fijian way is unique.
“It’s a really good tour. Obviously I’m looking forward to it, and I hope the players are too.”
Scotland beat Italy 29-0 at home last month in the Six Nations Championship, but the hot and humid conditions expected in Singapore could be a real leveller. The National Stadium has the world’s largest retractable roof, and a capacity of around 55,000.
Australia won by a point against Scotland both at Murrayfield in last year’s Autumn Tests and at Twickenham in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final. Scotland did, however, win the last time they played a Test in Australia, beating the Wallabies 9-6 in 2012.
They also won in Fiji that year, beating the hosts 35-27 in Lautoka. But they lost their only visit to the islands previous to that result, going down 51-26 in Suva in a match in which Townsend played at stand-off.
Scotland’s summer tour:
10 June: Scotland v Italy at Singapore National Stadium, Kailang (kick-off time to be confirmed).
17 June: Australia v Scotland at Allianz Stadium, Sydney (kick-off 5am BST, 3pm local time).
24 June: Fiji v Scotland at ANZ Stadium, Suva (kick-off time to be confirmed).
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