Scotland's Nations Championship opponents confirm 'highly respected' coach to lead side for Murrayfield Test
Fiji have acted quickly to get a new coaching team in place after former All Blacks and Australia assistant Mick Byrne stepped down.
Fiji Rugby Union have confirmed the appointment of Senirusi Seruvakula as their acting head coach for the opening three matches of the inaugural Nations Championship.
The 57-year old will take charge of the Flying Fijians for their fixtures against Wales, England and Scotland in July. Although technically classed as the ‘home’ side for these matches they will play in Cardiff, Liverpool and finally Edinburgh with the contest at Murrayfield slated for Saturday, July 18.
The news comes after the Pacific Island nation’s governing body announced yesterday that they had mutually agreed to part ways with former head coach Mick Byrne. The one time Scotland attack coach, who also had spells as part of the coaching teams at Australia and the All Blacks, had been in charge since 2024.
Fiji replace former Scotland attack coach Byrne with ‘high respected figure’ Seruvakula
Seruvakula most recently guided Fijian Drua Women to the Super Rugby Women's title in only that side’s first year of competition. He also serves as the head coach of the Fiji Women’s national team having held that role since 2020.
A statement from Fiji Rugby Union said: “Senirusi Seruvakula has been appointed Acting Head Coach of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians. A highly respected figure in Fijian rugby, Seruvakula brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
“This is not just an appointment, it’s a reminder of a legacy already in motion. Let’s not forget, he was part of the coaching team that led Fiji to historic victories over England at Twickenham and the Wallabies at the last Rugby World Cup.
“He guided the Fijiana 15s to their first-ever Rugby World Cup — breaking barriers and making history. He was Head Coach of the Fijian side that defeated the Barbarians to win the Kilik Cup at Twickenham in 2019. He was Head Coach of the Fiji Drua side that claimed the 2018 National Rugby Championship title and many more.
“From grassroots to the global stage, he has done it all — and now he steps forward to lead our Flying Fijians with the same passion and purpose.”
When do Scotland face Fiji at Murrayfield? Inaugural Nations Championship campaign starts this summer
Scotland take on Fiji at Murrayfield as part of the inaugural Nations Championship tournament which gets underway this summer. It all kicks off on July 3 with Japan hosting Italy and England heading to Johannesburg to face South Africa.
Gregor Townsend's side begin their tournament on Saturday, July 4, when they face Argentina in Cordoba before kicking off round two in Pretoria against the Springboks on Friday, July 10.
Fiji will play their ‘home’ matches in the northern hemisphere and will face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, July 18. Following that, the competition recommences in November where fixtures will replace the traditional Autumn Tests.
Scotland will host New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday, November 7 and then Australia on Sunday, November 15. They then welcomes Japan on Saturday, November 21.
In total, the competition is made up of 12 teams and divided by ‘European Conference’, consisting of the Six Nations unions, and ‘SANZAAR and Pacific Conference’ comprising the SANZAAR nations in addition to the two invited unions - Japan and Fiji. Each team will play the six teams in their opposing conference across the July and November test windows and will earn a league placing in their own conference based on results.
They then face their equivalent-placed finisher in the opposing conference, with a grand final to be played at the end of the November window between the first-placed teams in each. That match is set to take place at England’s Twickenham Stadium.
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