Three uncapped players in expansive Scottish squad

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

Three uncapped players have been named by Scotland in a 45-man squad for their November internationals, with Sione Tuipulotu returning to captain the team after missing this years Six Nations.

The uncapped players are all forwards, with eighthman Alexander Masibaka touring with Scotland in the Pacific in July but yet to win a cap, while flanker Liam McConnell and hooker Harri Morris win a place after showing form for Edinburgh.

Coach Gregor Townsend on Tuesday named 27 forwards and 18 backs, with the tests on consecutive weekends against the United States, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga.

There are 11 players who were picked by the British amp; Irish Lions to join their tour of Australia in mid-year, including Tuipulotu, who could not play in the Six Nations after a pectoral muscle tear.

Zander Fagerson, who was picked for the Lions but did not tour because of a calf injury, is also back.

Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury returns to the international fold, seeking a first Scotland cap since the 2022 tour to Argentina.

A lot of players are coming to their prime years, said Townsend.

Over the last couple of years, players outside the squad have had that chance to get into the group, but its very competitive now. In certain positions, theres quality all the way through, and some very good players have missed out on this squad.

Squad:

Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens),Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors),Darcy Graham (Edinburgh),Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors),Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints),George Horne (Glasgow Warriors),Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears),Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse),Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe (both Glasgow Warriors),Arron Reed (Sale Sharks),Finn Russell (Bath),Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn (both Glasgow Warriors),Ross Thompson