Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Saracens' Fergus Burke to make Scotland Test debut against Fiji

Fergus Burke of Saracens looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Bath Rugby at StoneX Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke will make his Scotland debut on Saturday against Fiji in Suva.

ADVERTISEMENT

The New Zealand-born playmaker, who also qualifies for England, was called into the Scotland squad during this year’s Six Nations, but failed to make an appearance.

The 25-year-old did face New Zealand Maori last week, though that was an uncapped fixture.

Burke is the only uncapped player in what is otherwise a relatively experienced team, which is captained by Rory Darge with Grant Gilchrist and Kyle Steyn as his vice-captains.

Fixture
Internationals
Fiji
29 - 14
Full-time
Scotland
All Stats and Data

“There’s a lot of things to like about Fergus’s game,” head coach Gregor Townsend said about his debutant.

“I think the most important element is how physical he’s been with carrying the ball, but in particular in defence, he’s been excellent this year with Saracens.

“His game management and understanding is up there with the best 10s. He’s been a joy to work with, right through the Six Nations when he didn’t get an opportunity, to now on this tour getting his chance for his first start.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Scotland XV
15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (12)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
13. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (14)
12. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (8)
11. Kyle Steyn – VICE-CAPTAIN – Glasgow Warriors (23)
10. Fergus Burke – Saracens (uncapped)
9. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (12)
1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (41)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (27)
3. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (7)
4. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
5. Grant Gilchrist – VICE-CAPTAIN – Edinburgh Rugby (80)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (60)
7. Rory Darge – CAPTAIN – Glasgow Warriors (30)
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (55)

Replacements
16. George Turner – Harlequins (45)
17. Alec Hepburn – Scarlets (4)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (8)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (6)
20. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (10)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (36)
22. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (32)
23. Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (9)

Related

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 17 minutes ago
How Ireland can upset the odds in Paris: Big match preview part two

Ireland need to keep the ball for long periods even if it goes against their current Leinster identity. This is their bread and butter against France. If they can stress test the French defence for long periods of time they will tire out. Ireland cannot afford to just build 90 rucks in a game. They need to build well in excess of 100 and they need to get 55-60% lightning quick ball at least. They need to force France to make at least 150-200 tackles and force them to defend multiple phases of attack. They need to play quickly at lineout, get the ball away from the base at scrum time and keep the French forwards under the pump. They cant play from everywhere but once it gets to their own 10 metre line they need to keep the ball and avoid the kick unless its to expose space with a kick chase or a 50-22. I dont rate the French bench, hell the Ireland bench doesnt look so great itself but if they can survive the first 60, deny France set piece and aerial dominance and move their forwards around they can win this. For France they need to establish dominance at set piece, make a mess of the Irish lineout, dominate the air waves and score off turnover ball using fast breaking backs like LBB and Ramos. They need to put Prendergast under pressure and smash the Irish front row. If they can make a mess of the Irish ruck speed they will also win but what we cant have is both teams pussyfooting around in a cagey affair putting the ball up constantly in a snooze fest with Ireland playing some Leinster garbage and France doing what they are comfortable doing. That only ends one way, a France win and Thursday night wasted for a rugby hungry audience. If we want a game on Ice we will watch the Winter Olympics thank you very much.

77 Go to comments
Close
ADVERTISEMENT