FULL STEYN AHEAD

Kyle gets nod ahead of van der Merwe

- BY STUART BATHGATE

GREGOR TOWNSEND says dropping joint record try scorer Duhan van der Merwe from his Scotland team for the first time just goes to show the faith he's got in Kyle Steyn.

The head coach has gone with the inform Glasgow wing instead of Edinburgh star van der Merwe for tomorrow's Autumn Nations Series blockbuster against the All Blacks at Murrayfield.

And he is confident he has more strength in depth than ever out wide as Scotland hunt a first win over New Zealand in 33 attempts.

Townsend said: “It's a very good situation we're in, that we have quality players who have missed out - including one who's our record try scorer, who won his 50th cap last weekend.

“That's the faith we have in Kyle, that he’s in the form to start in that 11 jersey this weekend.