Change of captain as Scotland name Autumn Nations Series squad

Gregor Townsend has handed Sione Tuipulotu the honour of leading Scotland during the four-match Autumn Nations Series by naming the Glasgow centre as his new captain.

Sione Tuipulotu, who has won 27 caps, has only worn the armband once before, in the 52-11 win over Chile this summer.

Explaining his choice of captain, Townsend said: “Sione has been one of our key leaders over the last couple of years and thrives in that leadership role. We’ve seen that in his outings as Glasgow captain and when he had the opportunity to lead the team against Chile a few months ago.

“He often sets the emotional tone and mindset required for the team and he also contributes significantly to both our attack and defence. Last season we looked to deepen our leadership group and we now have a number of people who could step up as captain. Sione is aware that he will have leaders around him to offer support and share the leadership responsibilities needed throughout the week and during the game.”

The Australian-born player, whose future in Scottish club rugby has been the subject of recent speculation, is joined in the 45-player group by his brother, Mosese Tuipulotu.

Mosese, who is four years younger at 23 years of age, is one of five uncapped players named by Townsend, along with Edinburgh team-mates Ben Muncaster and Freddy Douglas and Glasgow pair, Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan.

On the five uncapped players, Townsend commented: “We saw in the summer how much it meant to the players to win their first caps for their country. We have five players in this squad that will be hugely motivated to do the same.

“Alex Samuel was unlucky to miss out on the summer tour through injury as he would have very likely been out in the Americas with us. Tom Jordan is now qualified to play for us and has been playing consistently well for Glasgow for a while.

“Ben Muncaster has started the season with real intensity, making some big plays, whether operating at openside or number eight. Mosese Tuipulotu has integrated himself really quickly to playing rugby in Scotland and we are seeing more and more of his ability as a passer and ball carrier.

“Although Freddy Douglas has yet to appear in the URC, what we’ve seen with his performances with Edinburgh A and Scotland Under-20s shows us that he has the skills and mindset that can thrive in our environment. Patrick Harrison is a perfect example of that. He had played well for Edinburgh A and showed that with belief, intent and effort – you can bring out your strengths at Test level.

Rory Darge and Finn Russell have been named as vice-captains in a squad which shows a 26-19 split between forwards and backs.

Townsend has addressed Scotland’s shortage of fit and available tight-head props by welcoming back Edinburgh’s D’Arcy Rae, who won his only Scotland cap against Ireland in the 2019 Six Nations.

Meanwhile, Rory Hutchinson is back in favour as one of six centres having been left in the international wilderness since 2022. The Northampton man is one of 11 players who currently ply their trade outside of Scotland.

Scotland have reported sell-outs for their games against Fiji (November 2), South Africa (November 9) and Australia (November 24), with more than 50,000 tickets sold for the clash with Portugal (November 16).

Scotland’s 2024 Autumn Nations Series Squad (caps in brackets)

Forwards: Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (19), Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (7), Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors (34), Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (3), Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (39), Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (11), Alex Craig – Scarlets (4), Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (22), vice-captain, Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (20), Freddy Douglas – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped), Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (47), Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (67), Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (72), Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby (2), Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (2), Ewan Johnson – Oyonnax (3), Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (2), Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (5), Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped), D’Arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby (1), Dylan Richardson – The Sharks (3), Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (51), Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped), Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (34), Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (32), Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (4).

Backs: Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby (3), Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (6), Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (39), Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (30), George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (32), Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (7), Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (50), Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped), Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (53), Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (5), Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby (3), Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (67), Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (2), Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (7), Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (80) vice-captain, Mosese Tuipulotu – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped), Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (27) Captain, Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (41), Ben White – Toulon (22)