Fiji are no longer the gentle limb-loosener they once were on these year-end tours and Scotland are well-aware that there will be no place for complacency at Murrayfield on Saturday.

It may be more than a decade since Fiji's only win over Scotland, a 51-26 victory by the Pacific Islanders at the National Stadium in Suva.

But the more recent yardstick for Fijian flair and power is the 2007 World Cup in France - where they knocked Wales out of the tournament and were on course for an upset against eventual champions South Africa, before a late rally took the Springboks home.

Not surprising then to hear the Scotland coaching staff talk up the importance of defence in Saturday's showdown.

Scotland defence coach Graham Steadman talks animatedly about defence and at no time is this more vital than when playing against a side as skilful and unpredictable as Fiji.

"They have some of the most talented individuals in world rugby," said the former Great Britain Rugby League star, Steadman, told the Scotsman newspaper.

"That has been proven over the years.

"I get excited watching the Fijians playing against other opposition, but I'm hoping I won't be this weekend because we'll be starving them of ball.

"I always say defence is your platform for success, but that's never truer than against Fiji.

"They have a great playmaker at flyhalf [Nicky Little], very good centres and flying machines on the wing, and the biggest threat is that you have to be prepared to deal with the unexpected.

"If they have a bit of success in terms of gaining momentum and their individuals start carving up our defence ? and they are quite capable of doing that one-on-one if we're not aggressive ? they will pose us real problems."

Another Scotsman who warned about the danger of underestimating the qualities of the flying Fijians is attack coach Gregor Townsend.

"Give Fiji the chance and they are the best broken-field runners in the world," Townsend told the media.

The other noteworthy factor is that the Fijians are currently ranked ahead of Scotland on the International Rugby Board world rankings - with Fiji in ninth place on 76.52 rankings points, more than a full ranking point ahead of the 10th-placed Scots.

Of course a Scottish win will see then move ahead of the Pacific Islanders on the standings, but they are taking nothing for granted.

Fiji always believe they can rely on the X-factor to mesmerise the opposition, but this time they have in former All Blacks loose forward Mike Brewer a man with special insight into the Scottish camp.

Brewer, the Scotland forwards coach until six months ago, feels that dominating the set pieces are key - not the Fijians' forte, but something they will have to master.

And he was supported in this view by Fijian head coach Glen Ella.

"It all comes down to set-piece ball, we know that will be hard," Ella said.

"We will be playing at 100mph, what our players have is the X-factor. All these players have the talent, but if we can't win the ball we will struggle."

Another feature of this annual trip to the Northern Hemisphere for the Pacific Islanders is the country-versus-club battle.

Fiji are planning to demand action from the International Rugby Board over the number of their players who have been barred from the tour by their clubs.

Ella reckons about four or five potential starters have been persuaded to stay with their clubs instead of being allowed to join the international touring party, in direct contravention to the most recent directive from the world governing body.

Players to watch:

For Scotland: No.8 Johnnie Beattie is regarded as one of the most athletic performers, while Scottish fans will hope scrumhalf Chris Cusiter leads by example after being named ahead of Mike Blair in the No.9 jersey. The decision to play Rory Lamont at fullback, ahead of Chris Paterson will put pressure on the Scottish goal-kicking.

For Fiji: The Fiji team is based all around flair, with Mosese Rauluni and Nicky Little, as well as Seremia Bai, while Deacon Manu has now committed himself to Fiji after being tempted by an offer to switch to Wales.

Head to head: The key decision makers are at halfback, with Phil Godman (Scotland) going up against the season Nicky Little (Fiji) at flyhalf, while Chris Cusiter (Scotland) will be up against another veteran in Moses Rauluni (Fiji) at No.9. The importance of the set piece battle is illustrated in the stand-off between Nathan Hines (Scotland) and Wame Lewaravu (Fiji) in the second row.

Previous encounters:
2003: Scotland won 22-20, Sydney (World Cup)
2002: Scotland won 36-22, Edinburgh
1998: Fiji won 51-26, Suva
1989: Scotland won 38-17, Edinburgh

iafrica.com Prediction: There appears to be a lack of depth in the Fijian squad and despite their undoubted talent, they appear to lack the killer punch that made them such a threat two years ago. It certainly doesn't help that they are on the wrong end of another club-versus-country battle. We back Scotland to win going away in the end, by 15 points or more.

Teams:

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair,
21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca

Fiji: 15 Josh Matavesi, 14 Vereneki Goneva, 13 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai (captain), 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Asaeli Boko, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Josefa Domolailai, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Wame Lewaravu, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Vili Veikoso, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Replacements: 16 Graham Dewes, 17 Sereli Ledua, 18 Leone Nakarawa, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Jonetani Ratu, 22 Nasoni Roko.

Date: Saturday, November 14
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Time: 14:30 (14:30 GMT, 02.00, Sunday, November 15)
Expected weather: Heavy showers. High of 9?C
Referee: Chris White (England)
Assistants: Carlo Damasco (Italy), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Guillio De Santis (Italy)