Overview

• Duhan van der Merwe’s hat-trick spearheaded an eight-try 48-0 victory at Adelaide Oval, sealing a 6-0 warm-up record before the first Test on July 19.
• England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and centre Garry Ringrose both failed concussion protocols and will miss the series opener, leading to Jamie George’s late call-up.
• Owen Farrell made his tour debut off the bench in Adelaide, marking his return after two months out and intensifying midfield selection battles.
• Scotland’s 24-19 loss in Suva featured Darcy Graham’s red card and left Gregor Townsend’s side seventh in the world rankings.
• Townsend has flagged upcoming Tests against Samoa and in November as pivotal to Scotland’s bid for a top-six slot in the 2027 World Cup draw.