Wallabies vs Scotland Murrayfield Preview
After opening their tour at Twickenham, the Wallabies head north to Edinburgh for the second Test of their November campaign: Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. It is a fixture that has caused Australia plenty of problems in recent years, and with both teams chasing a top-two finish in the Nations Championship, the stakes are high.
This preview covers the match details, standings, head-to-head record, squad news, key battles, and what each side needs to come away with.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Scotland vs Australia |
| Competition | 2026 Nations Championship |
| Venue | Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh |
| Date | Sunday 15 November 2026 (UK) |
| Kick-off in Australia | 2:10am AEDT, Monday 16 November |
| Rivalry trophy | Hopetoun Cup, contested since 1998 |
Where Both Teams Stand
After the July window, Scotland were in a stronger position than Australia:
- Scotland: second in the Northern conference with 11 points, from two wins and one loss
- Australia: third in the Southern conference with 8 points, from one win and two losses
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made his ambitions clear. He said Scotland were “in a decent place” in the competition and wanted to “win the northern hemisphere table.” A win over Australia would be a big step toward that goal.
Scotland’s Season So Far
Scotland lost just once in their three July Nations Championship matches. That defeat came in Pretoria, where South Africa won 42 to 28, a game Townsend described as a valuable learning experience. Scotland also hosted Fiji at Murrayfield in July.
Earlier in 2026, Scotland beat England 31 to 20 at Murrayfield in the Six Nations, a result that showed how dangerous they can be at home.
In November, Scotland face three Southern Hemisphere sides at Murrayfield: New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. That means the Wallabies will meet a Scottish team fresh from a Test against the All Blacks.
Australia’s Season So Far
The Wallabies’ 2026 has been a mix of encouraging wins and costly losses:
- Nations Championship defeats to Ireland and France, and a big win over Italy
- A dramatic 42 to 38 victory over South Africa in Perth
- Wins over Japan and Argentina, plus a draw with Argentina
- Two heavy Bledisloe Cup losses to New Zealand
By the time they reach Edinburgh, Australia will also have played England at Twickenham, so the result of that opening Test will shape the mood heading into this match.
Head-to-Head Record
Overall, Australia have the upper hand. Across 35 Tests up to 2024, the Wallabies have won 22 and Scotland 13, with no draws. However, recent history tells a different story.
| Year | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Twickenham (World Cup) | Australia 35, Scotland 34 |
| 2016 | Murrayfield | Australia 23, Scotland 22 |
| 2017 | Sydney | Scotland 24, Australia 19 |
| 2017 | Murrayfield | Scotland 53, Australia 24 |
| 2021 | Murrayfield | Scotland 15, Australia 13 |
| 2022 | Murrayfield | Australia 16, Scotland 15 |
| 2024 | Murrayfield | Scotland 27, Australia 13 |
Margins on a Knife Edge
What stands out is how close many of these matches have been. Four of the last seven meetings were decided by two points or fewer, including the famous 2015 World Cup quarter-final, which Australia won 35 to 34 with a late penalty. Scotland, however, have won four of the last five, including a convincing 27 to 13 win at Murrayfield in 2024, the most recent meeting.
Memorable Moments
The 2015 World Cup quarter-final remains the most talked-about meeting. Scotland led late in the match before Bernard Foley kicked a penalty in the final minutes to send Australia through, a decision that sparked debate for years afterwards. Scotland’s 53 to 24 win at Murrayfield in 2017 is another standout, one of the highest scores in the history of the fixture and a painful memory for Wallabies supporters.
The two teams also play for the Hopetoun Cup, which has been contested since 1998. The trophy adds extra meaning to every meeting, particularly for Scotland, who have enjoyed their best run in the rivalry over the past decade.
Team News
Scotland
Townsend named a 37-player squad for the November window, captained by centre Sione Tuipulotu. Newcastle back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow was the only new face. Townsend has framed the Nations Championship as preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, saying Scotland’s goal is to be “playing knockout rugby in 12 months’ time.”
Australia
Les Kiss’s 33-player squad is led by captain Harry Wilson. The availability of Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper adds forward power, while uncapped players Tom Lambert and Teddy Wilson could feature during the tour. Will Skelton, Pete Samu, and Langi Gleeson are among those unavailable.
Key Battles
- Midfield: Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu against Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, a powerful contest in the centres
- Breakdown: Australia’s Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson will need to slow Scotland’s quick ball
- Tempo: Scotland like to play at speed at home, so Australia’s defensive line speed will be vital
- Set piece: the Wallabies will hope Tupou can give them a scrum advantage
- Back three: Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright must handle the high ball and counter-attack
What Each Team Needs
Scotland
- A fast start to get the home crowd involved
- Quick ruck ball to unleash their attacking backs
- Discipline to avoid giving Australia easy kicks
- Recovery from a physical Test against New Zealand the week before
Australia
- Strong defence to match Scotland’s tempo
- Composure in close finishes, where this fixture is often decided
- Accurate goal kicking, as small margins have defined recent meetings
- At least a losing bonus point to protect their standings position
Why This Test Matters
For Scotland, a win would strengthen their bid to top the Northern conference and reach the final match of Finals Weekend at Twickenham. For Australia, it is a chance to end a run of recent defeats at Murrayfield and keep their own top-two hopes alive.
The result will also affect the wider standings. Because Finals Weekend pairs teams by position, a Scotland win could push Australia toward a lower placing match, while an Australian win could open the door to a bigger fixture at Twickenham on the final weekend of the month.
The match also has World Cup relevance. With the 2027 tournament in Australia less than a year away, both coaches will treat this as a valuable test of depth and combinations.
Factors to Watch
- Weather: Edinburgh in November can be cold and wet, which may slow the game
- Fatigue: both teams will be in their second Test of the window
- Bench strength: fresh legs in the final quarter could decide another tight finish
- Yellow cards: discipline has swung several recent Tests
How to Watch
Kick-off is at 2:10am AEDT on Monday 16 November for viewers in eastern Australia. Check your local broadcaster and Rugby Australia’s official channels for live coverage and replays.
Final Thoughts
This Wallabies vs Scotland Murrayfield preview points to another close and intense contest. Australia lead the overall head-to-head, but Scotland have won four of the last five meetings and sit higher in the Nations Championship standings. With finals positions and World Cup momentum on the line, expect a tight battle in Edinburgh where every point counts.
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