SCOTLAND will play both Australia and South Africa at Murrayfield in a daunting programme before Christmas. The fixtures, against Australia on November 22nd and South Africa on December 6th, will be part of a Scottish commitment to play at least two southern hemisphere nations every year as they believe that is the only way to keep in touch with the best international standards.

"If we want to be the best, then we must play the best - and keep on playing them every year," says SRU president Fred McLeod.

"Only by doing so can we really judge our place in world rugby and have a realistic chance of going to the Rugby World Cup in 1999 - and winning for Scotland."