Fiji claim rare Scotland scalp after visitors see red in Suva

In a fast-paced and exciting encounter, Fiji had too much firepower for their opponents who finished the match with 14 men after Darcy Graham, who missed out on selection to the British and Irish Lions squad, was red-carded in the final quarter.

The absence of key Scotland players like Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Zander Fagerson, Blair Kinghorn, Duhan van der Merwe and Huw Jones no doubt played a big part in the outcome of the match too.

Tevita Ikanivere, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Jiuta Wainiqolo crossed the whitewash for Fiji while they were also awarded a penalty try and Caleb Muntz slotted two conversions and a penalty.

For the visitors, Kyle Rowe and Tom Jordan scored tries and their other points came via the boot of Test debutant Fergus Burke who succeeded with a couple of conversions.

Gregor Townsend's troops were fastest out of the blocks and opened the scoring as early as the third minute when Rowe dotted down and Burke's conversion gave the visitors a deserved 7-0 lead.

Shortly afterwards, Ewan Ashman was yellow-carded before Muntz opened Fiji's account via a penalty midway through the half.

Scotland were dealt another blow in the 33rd minute when Graham was yellow-carded for foul play and Fiji made full use of their numerical advantage as Ikanivere and Ravouvou crossed for tries during the closing stages of the opening half which gave them a 15-7 lead at the interval.

Scotland made a bright start to the second half when Jordan crossed for a converted try in the 44th minute but that would be the last time they would score points as Fiji finished stronger.

Wainiqolo dotted down in the 57th minute and 10 minutes later things went pear-shaped for the Scots when Graham was red-carded afttr he tried to intercept a pass deep inside his 22 but did so from an offside position.

He was also the last defender which resulted in referee Ben O'Keeffe issuing him his second yellow card as well as a penalty try to the hosts, which sealed their victory.