New Scotland rugby captain named for Autumn Test Series as Townsend discusses squad choices

Sione Tuipulotu will captain Scotland for the 2024 Autumn Test Series (Pic: SNS) | SNS Group

Sione Tuipulotu has been named the new captain of the Scotland rugby union men’s national senior side as they get set for their upcoming Autmun Nations Test Series.

The Glasgow Warriors centre, who has been capped 27 times, will be supported by Scotstoun teammate Rory Darge and squad veteran Finn Russel as vice captains for the matches against world champions South Africa, Australia, Fiji and Portugal next month in Edinburgh. Head coach Gregor Townsend has initially named a 45 man squad for the matches.

Speaking on the selection of Tuipulotu as captain, he 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.”

Five uncapped players have been named in the squad, including Tuipulotu’s younger brother Mosese who has impressed for Edinburgh Rugby this season. Glasgow pair Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan along with Edinburgh’s Ben Muncaster and Freddy Douglas are the other players who will be hoping to earn their first caps.

“We saw in the summer how much it meant to the players to win their first caps for their country,” said Townsend. “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.”

Here is the 45-player group chosen by Townsend for the 2024 Autumn Nations series:

Forwards (26)

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-CAPTAINJack 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-CAPTAINMosese Tuipulotu – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (27) CAPTAINDuhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (41)Ben White – Toulon (22)

The following players have missed out on selection through injury: Javan Sebastian, Murphy Walker, Robbie Smith, Cam Henderson, Sam Skinner, Andy Christie, Euan Ferrie, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Steyn and Ollie Smith.