'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.
Sione Tuipulotu named Scotland captain for autumn internationals
Gregor Townsend declared Sione Tuipulotu “the right man” to lead Scotland after appointing the Glasgow centre as the new national team skipper ahead of the autumn Tests.Finn Russell and Rory Darge were made co-captains for the Six Nations earlier this year – replacing Jamie Ritchie who led the team to the 2023 World Cup – but it was announced on Wednesday that Townsend has opted for another change of leadership.Australia-born Tuipulotu will captain Scotland for next month’s autumn Tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia, and the head coach expects the 27-year-old to embrace the role and make...