Latest news with #GeorgeHorne
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland focused on 'bigger picture' with Fiji match key to world ranking
Head coach Gregor Townsend admits Scotland have one eye on the "bigger picture" going into Saturday's match against Fiji in their Pacific has stressed the importance of the fixture, as well as the following game against Samoa as Scotland look to lock in a top-six ranking ahead of the draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia in ranked seventh, the Scots want to avoid a rough repeat of 2023 when they were grouped with two top nations - Ireland and South Africa - and failed to progress to the knockout stages."This is a one-off game in terms of our tour, but there is also the bigger picture and that is the World Cup draw in November," Townsend said."This is a very important game going into the Samoa Test, and also the Tests we have in November, to put ourselves in the best possible position to get into that top six."After opening their Pacific Tour with a hard-fought 29-26 victory over Maori All Blacks in a non-cap match, Townsend has made 14 changes to his team for the Fiji head coach added the standard has now been set for what is expected for the rest of their Pacific Tour."I think the alignment with what we wanted in terms of the gameplan, the execution, the effort throughout the game – there was one sequence of play that lasted 29 phases in defence - the togetherness was brilliant," he added."Then also the skill to execute when it counted. The try before half-time, George's [Horne] second try had really good skill and support."It is what you hope and dream when you put a team out against such a tough opponent, but if often doesn't happen when new combinations come together, so it was really pleasing for everyone that they did play so well."
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Fiji v Scotland: TV details, kick-off time, team news and squad update
Everything you need to know about Scotland's summer tour match against Fiji including which TV channel will broadcast the action and what time the match kicks off. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland continue their Skyscanner Pacific Tour as they face the Fijians at the weekend with Gregor Townsend's men looking to make it two wins from two. With many of the squad's big names on British and Irish Lions duty, it's great opportunity for the coach to assess the depth of his squad. The team survived a late fightback in their first match against the Maori All Blacks, winning 29-26. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two tries from George Horne as well as scores for Harry Paterson and Arron Reed were enough to see Scotland through, but the win was far from comfortable. With a three point lead in the 79th minute, Scotland were in possession of the ball but a late turnover from the Maori's made it a nail-biting finish. A man-down, the Scots defended their line well and emerged victorious in Whangarei, however it will be a completely different challenge against the flair of Fiji at the weekend. Scotland have an impressive record against Fiji, winning nine of eleven matches and won comfortably at Murrayfield when the teams last faced in November however with a new look squad on Fijian soil, it poses a very different challenge for Townsend's men. Where and when does the Fiji v Scotland game take place? Scotland play their second of three matches in the Pacific Tour at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday 12th July. The match will be played at 4:00am (BST) and 3:00pm (local time). What TV channel is Fiji v Scotland on? The match will be shown live on Premier Sports (coverage from 3:55am-6:00am). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is the latest team news ahead of Fiji v Scotland? With eight players away on Lions duty, Gregor Townsend once again has a chance to experiment with his squad. The coach, who has recently broken silence on his own Scotland future, named a completely different starting XV in New Zealand from the last time the team played in the Six Nations against France. Stafford McDowall looks set to make his third appearance as captain for the team. The inside centre lead by example against the Maori All Blacks, making a superb 50-22 during the match whilst down to 14-men which led to a try. With the ever-reliable Zander Fagerson on Lions duty, Scotland fans may be worried about the depth they possess in the tighthead prop department, however, scrum coach Pieter de Villiers believes it's a perfect time for the likes of Elliot Millar Mills, Will Hurd and Finn Richardson to gain test match experience in this position. It was Richardson who started and impressed against Maori All Blacks on his terms of injuries, Edinburgh back row Ben Muncaster is still recovering from a dead leg and Glasgow forward, Gregor Brown suffered a concussion last week, therefore the pair won't be featuring in Suva. Who is in the Scotland squad for the Pacific Tour? Backs Fergus Burke – Saracens, Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors, Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby, Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors, Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints, George Horne – Glasgow Warriors, Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors, Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby, Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors, Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby, Arron Reed – Sale Sharks, Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors, Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors, Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors, Gus Warr – Sale Sharks Forwards Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby, Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby, Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors, Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors, Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors, Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby, Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby, Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers, Alec Hepburn – Scarlets, Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers, Alexander Masibaka –Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente, Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors, Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints, Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby, Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens, Fin Richardson – Glasgow Warriors, Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby, Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors, Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby, George Turner – Kobelco Kobe Steelers, Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We showed typical Scottish values'
Scotland showed 'typical Scottish values' as they worked until the last whistle to record a historic victory over the Maori All Blacks, says scrum-half George Horne. Having led by 17 points, the Scots were only up by three with the Maoris attacking their line in the final play, but they managed to turn the ball over and kick it dead to earn victory. Advertisement "It was unbelievable," Horne said. "We came into the game with quite a new team, a young squad, and we've come together really well in the last few weeks. "To come together and put on a performance like that... it wasn't that pretty but we dug in and we showed typical Scottish values. To get the win at the end, to keep them out in the corner, was huge." Horne was instrumental in the Scotland victory, starting and scoring two tries in his own typical fashion. "Getting the chance to represent Scotland is everything for me," he added. "To cap that off with a win first and foremost, and to get over for a try is always nice. Just delighted. Advertisement "It just shows the character of the team. We defended for four or five minutes at the end there, gave away a few penalties, got a yellow card. That didn't phase us. "We stuck to our system and it was massive moment with that big counter-ruck at the end, it just shows what we mean to each other and how much it means to play for Scotland."
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We showed typical Scottish values'
Scotland showed 'typical Scottish values' as they worked until the last whistle to record a historic victory over the Maori All Blacks, says scrum-half George led by 17 points, the Scots were only up by three with the Maoris attacking their line in the final play, but they managed to turn the ball over and kick it dead to earn victory."It was unbelievable," Horne said. "We came into the game with quite a new team, a young squad, and we've come together really well in the last few weeks. "To come together and put on a performance like that... it wasn't that pretty but we dug in and we showed typical Scottish values. To get the win at the end, to keep them out in the corner, was huge."Horne was instrumental in the Scotland victory, starting and scoring two tries in his own typical fashion."Getting the chance to represent Scotland is everything for me," he added. "To cap that off with a win first and foremost, and to get over for a try is always nice. Just delighted."It just shows the character of the team. We defended for four or five minutes at the end there, gave away a few penalties, got a yellow card. That didn't phase us. "We stuck to our system and it was massive moment with that big counter-ruck at the end, it just shows what we mean to each other and how much it means to play for Scotland."
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Maori All Blacks 26 Scotland 29: Scots survive early setback and late drama to beat Maori All Blacks for first time EVER
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND survived a first minute setback and a dramatic late fightback to kick off their summer tour of New Zealand with their first EVER victory over the Maori All Blacks. In what was the first meeting between the two teams for quarter of a century, tries from Harry Paterson, George Horne (2), and Arron Reed plus three conversions and a penalty from Adam Hastings were enough to secure a thrilling 29-26 win in Whangerei. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A Scotland supporter at the Semenoff Stadium Credit: Getty 3 A traditional Maori welcome during the match Credit: Getty 3 Captain Stafford McDowall of Scotland (L) congratulates George Horne on scoring a try Credit: Getty This was an experimental Scotland team for what was a non-cap international, with Stafford McDowall captaining the team. The outcome was very much in doubt when home scrum half Sam Nock ran in for an unconverted try within seconds. But Gregor Townsend's men rallied strongly. Wing Harry Paterson touched down inches inside the back of the in-goal area after a grubber kick to give the Scots a route back into the match. Adam Hastings converted then slotted a penalty to give the Scots breathing space at 10-7, before Horne got on the end of another clever kick ahead, the conversion stretching the visitors' advantage to 17-5. But the Maori All Blacks are formidable opponents and when lock forward Isaia Isaia Walker-Leawere fell over the line to score the home side's second try the Scots knew they were in a game. A yellow card for Alexander Masibaka compounded matters but Scotland's answer was simply to go up the other end and score a try, quicksilver wing Arron Reed touching down another chip from Ollie Smith this time with Hastings adding the conversion. The Scots went in at half time 24-12 to the good then produced their finest try of the game when a flowing move saw Hutchinson feed Reed, who found Horne who galloped over in the corner. But what an onslaught they faced to get this over the line. A try from Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund reduced the deficit before Gideon Wrampling dived over, the conversion leaving the Scots living on their nerves with just a three-point advantage. Hollywood star Gerard Butler spotted at Scotland vs England Calcutta Cup rugby clash With the clock in the red, Cameron Anderson found himself yellow carded but the short-handed Scots managed to summon the energy to win one last turnover before kicking the ball gleefully out of play. It was a massive win over strong opposition, with the Scots now set to face Fiji and Samoa in Tests. Māori All Blacks 26 – 29 Scotland Māori All Blacks: 15. Zarn Sullivan, 14. Cole Forbes, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 11. Daniel Rona, 10. Rivez Reihana, 9. Sam Nock; 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Kurt Eklund (Captain), 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Cullen Grace. Replacements: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Benet Kumeroa, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Caleb Delany, 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Corey Evans. Scotland: 15. Ollie Smith, 14. Harry Paterson, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Stafford McDowall (Captain), 11. Arron Reed, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. George Horne (Vice Captain); 1. Nathan McBeth, 2. Patrick Harrison, 3. Fin Richardson*, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Cameron Henderson, 6. Josh Bayliss (Vice Captain), 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 8. Ben Muncaster. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. Alexander Masibaka, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Jamie Dobie. Match officials: Referee: Nika Amashukeli ARs: Jordan Way and Matt Kellahan TMO: Oli Kellett Venue: Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, New Zealand. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
