Sione Tuipulotu to captain Scotland for autumn series internationals
Sione Tuipulotu has been handed the Scotland captaincy for next month’s autumn series.Gregor Townsend has appointed the Glasgow centre to the role ahead of Rory Darge and Finn Russell, who skippered the team on a joint basis in the Six Nations earlier this year.Darge and Russell have been listed as vice-captains for the four Murrayfield Tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia.Your Scotland squad for @thefamousgrouse Nations Series 🏴Read more ➡️ https://t.co/ie5rU7iALs pic.twitter.com/DZbA0HM2jy— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 23, 2024Townsend has selected five uncapped players in his 45-man group, with Glasgow pair Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan joined by...
'Strong & exciting squad'; 'No Matthews is an absolute joke'
We asked for your views on the Scotland squad announced by Gregor Townsend for next month's Autumn Tests. Here's what some of you said: Bruce: Strong and exciting squad, a good combination of new blood and old, but the Jonny Gray saga is confusing. Jim: Another petulant pick from Townsend. Omissions of Johnny Matthews, Ross Thompson and Richie Gray do not reflect well on him as a coach or man.
'Townsend's squad full of surprises and fascinating storylines'
Gregor Townsend may have lost his voice earlier in the week, but he hasn't lost his touch when putting together an autumn squad with more storylines than Huw Jones has running lines. A new captain, for a start. One set of brothers in - the Tuipulotus or the Twoipulotus - and another set of brothers out - the Grays, as in fade to… The elevation of a teenager in Freddy Douglas; the return of a forgotten man in D’Arcy Rae, who hasn’t played for Scotland in six years; the omission of a cult hero in Johnny Matthews and the as yet unannounced, but now certain, international retirement of Richie Gray, who's off to Japan next month. There are five uncapped players and in a squad of 45 there are 23 who have 10 caps or fewer, including five of the seven second-rows, two of the three hookers and half the props.
Share your thoughts on Scotland squad
Gregor Townsend has confirmed his Scotland squad for next month's Autumn Tests - now we want your views. Sione Tuipulotu will captain the side against South Africa, Australia, Fiji and Portugal, while his brother Mosese has been called up for the first time. There are also first call-ups for New Zealand-born Tom Jordan as well as Alex Samuel, Ben Muncaster and Freddy Douglas. And D'Arcy Rae, Rory Hutchinson and Darcy Graham have been recalled
'Zander the great - Scotland's most indispensable player'
As Gregor Townsend nails down his squad for the four autumn Tests - the announcement will be next midweek - there is an area of concern that might be keeping the Scotland coach awake at night. Who is the country’s most indispensable player? It’s possibly a dead-heat between Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Zander Fagerson. I’d argue that Fagerson shades it. Why? Because when you swing open the cupboard with the number three on it, there’s a whole lot of empty space in there. At least Townsend has Adam Hastings and Tom Jordan (plus Ross Thompson and Ben Healy) as back-up at 10, plus he’s got Stafford McDowall, Cam Redpath and Rory Hutchinson as potential replacements for Tuipulotu at 12 if he needs one, which he’ll hope like hell he doesn’t because Tuipolutu is an insanely good rugby player.