Fiji prepared for a response after Scotland learned their lesson in Pretoria

Townsend will be without Rory Darz or Kyle Steyn, both injured and now missing for some well-earned rest in what must have felt like two seasons rolled into one.

The coach has promised change but past experience has taught him to approach Fiji with caution.

Given the depth of Scotland’s squad these days, though, these changes don’t come with a whole lot of risk. Not that Townsend would bring the kids.

For example, the return of Scotland’s greatest ever wing combination – in terms of tries.

There was a time, a blink of an eye ago, when Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham were guaranteed to start in every major Test. Now they are playing second fiddle to Kyle Rowe and Kyle Stein.

Van der Merwe, with his injuries and his general lack of form, is miles away from it. Times have changed dramatically.

Gregor Hiddleston, so dynamic off the bench against the Bucks, will surely start. Max Williamson was brilliant when he made his debut in Pretoria.

Williamson’s breakthrough performance at this level was against South Africa at Murrayfield two years ago and Saturday’s clash could be seen as his comeback game, after a fairly quiet season.

Townsend may be missing Darge but he has other potential sons to fall back on – six-year-old Liam McConnell and seven-year-old Freddie Douglas. Both should make it to the 23rd. Scotland will look very different against Fiji, but should still be seen as an impressive team.

Dalziel is respectful of Fiji, as he must be.

“I think we’ve all seen Fiji in the last couple of years as a team that has come a long way in the last World Cup and beat us,” he said.

“They beat us last year in Fiji by a decent margin. We had some players away (with the Lions) but we know their quality.

“They will be disappointed that their game didn’t click against England last week, but we haven’t seen many performances like that from them, so we are fully prepared for the response.”