Head coach Andy Robinson today hailed the chance for the Scotland team to continue to improve when the might of the southern hemisphere comes calling in November.

Scotland will go into the matches on the back of their first historic Test series success against Argentina in June and aiming to enhance an unbeaten record that stretches to five games, including the warm-up match against a Japan Select.

Tickets for all three Autumn Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa go on sale today and can be bought online at www.scottishrugby.org or via the 24-hour credit card hotline (Tel: 0844 335 3933).  New Zealand and South Africa will be our opponents at Murrayfield, while Scotland face Samoa at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen FC manager Mark McGhee welcomes Andy Robinson and Chris Cusiter to Pittodrie - venue for Scotland v Samoa

In a mouth-watering start to the Tests, Scotland will face the world’s top team, New Zealand, at Murrayfield on Saturday 13 November at 5.15pm.

Seven days later, on Saturday 20 November, it’s another physical challenge, as South Africa, currently ranked second in the world, return to Murrayfield for a 2.30pm kick-off where it will be unfinished business for the hosts following their agonising defeat against the Springboks in 2008.

And the series concludes with the heady mix of tough-tackling and free-spirited skill which is the hallmark of Samoa, no strangers to Scotland after their magnificent triumph in the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s tournament in May.

Scotland meet the Pacific islanders on Saturday 27 November at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Robinson declared today: “What better opposition for us to open our new campaign than New Zealand.  They’ve been playing some exhilarating rugby this summer, especially in the Tri-Nations games against South Africa and Australia, and it’s well-documented that Scotland have never beaten New Zealand.

“Yet we made history in the summer in Argentina and our next focus is to continue to improve and that starts with our opening game in the autumn – against New Zealand.”
Robinson was speaking in Aberdeen today where the city council, local rugby community and Aberdeen FC all pledged to give a warm north-east welcome to the returning national team.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive, Gordon McKie, said: “Scottish Rugby believes it essential to promote our sport as extensively as possible throughout Scotland, and our previous games in Aberdeen in 2005 and 2008 were successful, and helped to grow the game in the north-east.

“We’ve worked closely before with our partners in the Aberdeen area and Aberdeen FC and we know that the Samoa game will be welcomed by all.”

Scotland first played at Pittodrie with their first ever victory over the Barbarians in May 2005.  They returned with a resounding win against Canada – defying snow storms – in November 2008 and there’s considerable excitement in the Granite City that Scotland will be back this year.

Lord Provost of Aberdeen Peter Stephen said: "I am delighted that Aberdeen will again be hosting an international rugby union match. I am quite sure that many sports fans in the north and north-east will be equally as pleased and excited as I am at the prospect of seeing our national team in action in Aberdeen.

"Rugby is a fantastic game to watch and is even better enjoyed live in the atmosphere of a sports stadium surrounded by fans.”

Jamieson Shearer, coach at Huntly, hailed the return of the national team to the north-east.  “This is definitely a boost for local rugby and all the volunteers in the area.

“The last time the Scotland team were here in 2008 there was a real buzz with more youngsters coming along.  It’s also good for the senior game as well – for boys like me who have been involved for a long time to see what the national team are doing in warm-ups and in the game.

“There’s a big rugby following in the north-east and it’s great to have an international match on our doorstep.”

Duncan Fraser, managing director of Aberdeen Football Club, said: “We have worked closely with Scottish Rugby on delivering regular rugby internationals to the city and, in fact, have worked with them to ensure that our proposed new stadium at Loirston Loch can provide the best facilities for all international events.

“We look forward to welcoming Andy Robinson and the Scotland squad to Pittodrie in November.”

The 52-times Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter, Aberdeen born and educated, also welcomed the resumption of international rugby in his home city.

He said: “It’s wonderful news and I’m hoping to get on the park myself this time!”  In 2005 Cusiter was on Lions duty so missed the game and, two years ago, was recovering from injury.

“One of the best things about taking international rugby to the north-east is the interest in the game that being there generates.

“I know from speaking to people who help coach youngsters in the area that they saw a surge of interest and growth in participation when Scotland were here before and that has to be our aim this time too,” he added.

Scottish Rugby has again set competitive ticket prices for the match.   Adult tickets for the games against New Zealand and World Cup holders South Africa are £20, £25 and £45.

Under-18s tickets cost £10, £12.50 and £22.50 for both matches with the discounted tickets also available to students for the South Africa match at Murrayfield on Saturday 20 November.

Adult tickets for the Samoa game are £15, £20 and £30 with under-18s and students’ tickets at £7.50, £10 and £15.

In addition to online and ticket hotline sales – www.scottishrugby.org or via phone on 0844 335 3933 – you can also buy tickets for the Autumn Tests through your local rugby club.

Buying a ticket for the Autumn Tests also entitles you to a discount for the glittering finale to the 2010-2011 rugby season – the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s festival.  Come along and join the party at Murrayfield Stadium on 28 and 29 May 2011.  More details from www.edinburgh7s.com.

Andy Robinson added: “Our last three internationals have been away from home and the players delivered inspiring victories at Croke Park, Tucuman and Mar del Plata.

“Our next three internationals are at home and the more supporters at Murrayfield and Pittodrie the better to encourage them to new heights.”

Notes to editors:

Discussions are continuing over broadcast and sponsorship arrangements for the Autumn Tests.

Ticket prices have increased slightly from last year’s Autumn Tests as a reflection on the form of both Scotland and our opponents.  All revenues generated from Scotland ticket sales are reinvested in the game of rugby throughout Scotland.

There is a fee for all credit card transactions and tickets are not available for sale on match day.