Scotland to host the All Blacks in 2020
Scotland's Stuart Hogg with the ball during the Autumn International at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 18, 2017. See PA story RUGBYU Scotland. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission.
The All Blacks and Argentina will join Japan as Scotland’s opponents in the 2020 November Tests at Murrayfield it was confirmed on Monday.
Scotland will open the campaign against the Pumas on the weekend of 6 November followed by the previously announced fixture against the Brave Blossoms over the weekend of 13 November, before finishing the series against the world’s number two-ranked side, New Zealand, over the weekend of 20 November.
Scotland’s opener against Argentina will be the 19th meeting between the historically evenly matched opponents, whose head-to-head result count is level on nine wins apiece in 30 years of Test rugby.
Scotland have, however, won the last five matches in a row – the 2016 win sandwiched by home-and-away doubles in 2014 and 2018.
Japan will need no introduction to Scottish fans after the unforgettable RWC 2019 Pool A decider in Yokohama, which saw the home side progress following a pulsating match. The visit of the Brave Blossoms follows the Scotland Women fixture this Sunday against Japan Women.
The closing Test against New Zealand will be the first meeting between the sides since Scotland went agonisingly close to a historic first win in 2017 when, in the last minute, full-back Stuart Hogg was denied by a superb cover tackle from stand-off Beauden Barrett.
The immense Stuart Hogg v NZ:
17 carries for 117m
3 clean breaks
6 defenders beaten
4/4 tackles made
With the boot, a booming spiral touch-finder, and a delicate grubber that set up Huw Jones' try pic.twitter.com/hV6PSwFOJc— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) November 19, 2017
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Representing your country is the pinnacle of the sport and in 2020 we will have opportunities to pit ourselves against some of the world’s leading teams.
“To host Argentina, Japan and New Zealand at Murrayfield following our games against England and France in the Six Nations provides fantastic competitive challenges which we look forward to seeing our players embrace.”
Scotland’s 2020 fixtures
2020 Six Nations
Saturday 1 February: Ireland v Scotland; Aviva Stadium (kick-off 4.45pm GMT)
Saturday 8 February: Scotland v England; BT Murrayfield Stadium (kick-off 4.45pm GMT)
Saturday 22 February: Italy v Scotland; Stadio Olimpico (kick-off 2.15pm GMT)
Sunday 8 March: Scotland v France; BT Murrayfield Stadium (kick-off 3pm GMT)
Saturday 14 March: Wales v Scotland; Principality Stadium (kick-off 2.15pm GMT)
2020 November Tests
Weekend of 6 November: Scotland v Argentina; BT Murrayfield (kick-off TBC)
Weekend of 13 November: Scotland v Japan; BT Murrayfield (kick-off TBC)
Weekend of 20 November: Scotland v New Zealand; BT Murrayfield (kick-off TBC)