Scotland has named a 37-man squad for next month’s upcoming Nations Championship tests, featuring English-born back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow as the sole uncapped player in the selection. Head coach Gregor Townsend delayed announcing the roster to give prospective candidates additional time to demonstrate their form during recent United Rugby Championship fixtures.
Leatherbarrow, who currently plays his club rugby for Newcastle, qualifies to represent Scotland through his grandmother. His inclusion highlights a squad that balances emerging talent with returning experience as the team prepares to face formidable international competition next month.
Townsend’s selection also brings back several key figures who had previously been sidelined by injuries. Winger Darcy Graham, back-rower Jamie Ritchie, and powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe all return to the international fold. However, veteran lock Grant Gilchrist has been left out of the 37-man roster.
Among the notable inclusions is former Australia international Jack Dempsey. Despite his recent move to a Japanese club—a transfer that will render him unavailable for next year’s Six Nations tournament—Dempsey retains his place in the setup for the immediate series.
The squad features a robust mix of domestic and overseas talent across the forwards and backs. The backline selections comprise Fergus Burke of Saracens, Jamie Dobie of the Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham, George Horne of the Glasgow Warriors, and Northampton Saints player Rory Hutchinson. They are joined by Huw Jones of Toulon, Tom Jordan of the Bristol Bears, Toulouse’s Blair Kinghorn, and Glasgow Warriors players Stafford McDowall and Kyle Rowe. Finn Russell of Bath, along with Glasgow contingent Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, and Sione Tuipulotu, round out the backs alongside Duhan van der Merwe of Edinburgh and Ben White of Toulon.
In the forward pack, Edinburgh’s Ewan Ashman is joined by Josh Bayliss of Bath. A strong contingent from the Glasgow Warriors includes Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, and Rory Darge. They are bolstered by Jack Dempsey of Toshiba Brave Lupus, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Gray of Perpignan, and Gregor Hiddleston. Additional forward depth is provided by Leicester Tigers prop Will Hurd, Newcastle Falcons newcomer Ollie Leatherbarrow, Nathan McBeth, Edinburgh’s Liam McConnell, Northampton Saints player Elliot Millar Mills, Jamie Ritchie, Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman, and Glasgow Warriors forwards Rory Sutherland, Seb Stephen, and Max Williamson.
Scotland is scheduled to kick off the demanding stretch of fixtures by hosting the All Blacks on November 7 at Murrayfield, before subsequent matches against Australia and Japan.
