Singapore set to host Scotland-Italy Test

The National Stadium in Singapore is all set to host its first ever Test to be played between Scotland and Italy on Saturday.

This will also mark their first game of the summer tour which also includes clashes against Australia and Fiji to be played in the subsequent weeks.

With 10,000 to 20,000 people expected to turn up at the venue to witness the high-level encounter, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believes this is an excellent opportunity for the players to be part of history.

"For our players it was exciting to tell them that we were to be part of the first international 15-a-side game to be played here," said Townsend.

"The first game of a tour is always one you are building up to and I am excited. We have had three weeks of camp, which was a bonus, and have used that time productively.

"I have enjoyed it, as have the other new coaches. We are fortunate with the group of players we have; they work hard, have got a lot of confidence from the last two seasons and are desperate to build on that."

This will also be the first assignment as head coach for Townsend with the Dark Blues after he took over from Vern Cotter.

"It still feels a bit unreal arriving for my first Test match in Singapore," the former Scotland assistant said.

"From a coaching perspective, though, the last three weeks have been real. It has started. You put a game plan together, you are working with the players and getting to know some. You have the tracksuit on."

Italy coach Conor O'Shea highlighted the responsibility of both the teams to put on a good show as a part of the process to spread the game in the country.

"It is incredible," he said of the opportunity. "You don't really realise when you are in it, you don't really realise what you are doing, but after the event, when you see what it means to people around here and understand the development that is going into the game here, it hits home.

"Part of our job is about the here and now, but also part is to make sure that rugby grows as a game around the world. If we can be any part of making that happen, it is an incredible thing.

"The focus is on Saturday but we are part of the bigger family and to have a small impact on rugby in this part of the world is a big honour."