2025 Autumn Internationals

[BaldiePete]

The squad must be due to be announced soon. This year matches are:

1st November : USA
8th November : New Zealand
16th November: Argentina
23rd November: Tonga

First match is outside the window so will be a Glasgow/Edinburgh select. That will (rightly) be dominated by Glasgow with a scattering of Edinburgh players. I’d expect Townsend will pick Schoeman, Ashman, Graham and VDM in the starting 15 and I hope Douglas gets more time in the squad. Steyn may deserve a start but I think he’ll stick with those two wingers. If Fagerson (Z) isn’t fit Rae might get a chance. Do any Weegies know when Fagerson is expected to return? Same question about Jones?

[septic 9]

The squad must be due to be announced soon. This year matches are:

1st November : USA
8th November : New Zealand
16th November: Argentina
23rd November: Tonga

First match is outside the window so will be a Glasgow/Edinburgh select. That will (rightly) be dominated by Glasgow with a scattering of Edinburgh players. I’d expect Townsend will pick Schoeman, Ashman, Graham and VDM in the starting 15 and I hope Douglas gets more time in the squad. Steyn may deserve a start but I think he’ll stick with those two wingers. If Fagerson (Z) isn’t fit Rae might get a chance. Do any Weegies know when Fagerson is expected to return? Same question about Jones?

Hope to see Zander either this week or next. Glasgow want him firing for the europe games. Jones will miss the AIs, fitness for the 6N apparently not certain ATM

[Cameo]

Big chance for someone else at 13. No one quite has Jones' game but we have some talent at 13 (though many of them prefer 12). Who would people see as the front runner?

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Hopefully Hutchinson @Cameo .

Will Tom Jordan make the squad especially after his red on Saturday , he would also have been a contender so hopefully he's not banned for too long.

Squad announced next Tuesday btw, it's in the article by Tom English on Gregor doing 2 jobs from end of last week

ABs squad is out btw.

[Mikey Brown]

Big chance for someone else at 13. No one quite has Jones' game but we have some talent at 13 (though many of them prefer 12). Who would people see as the front runner?

Surely McDowall gets a run at 13?

Maybe Hutchinson has stepped up his physicality enough for Townsend (or the new defence coach) but also seems to play 12 most weeks and doesn’t offer the contrast of McDowall outside Tuipulotu.

Smith and Steyn have both played there a bit I guess but don’t see either as full-time centres.

[Cameo]

Big chance for someone else at 13. No one quite has Jones' game but we have some talent at 13 (though many of them prefer 12). Who would people see as the front runner?

Surely McDowall gets a run at 13?

Maybe Hutchinson has stepped up his physicality enough for Townsend (or the new defence coach) but also seems to play 12 most weeks and doesn’t offer the contrast of McDowall outside Tuipulotu.

Smith and Steyn have both played there a bit I guess but don’t see either as full-time centres.

That would probably be my inclination, but:

- I don't see much of Hutchison live; and
- McDowell didn't have a great end to last season - my main memory of him from the last few months is slicing clearance kicks.

[Cameo]

The most interesting other selection decisions are in the backrow (though would like to see Dobie get a good shot starting at 9). Unless I have missed something it looks like we will have all of the following available:

- Darge
- Ritchie
- Fagerson
- Dempsey
- Onyeama-Christie.

That's ignoring several (including Gregor Brown on the basis he might be seen more as a second row or sub option) as I view the above five as the ones really competing for a starting spot in the biggest games. The USA game may be a good chance for others to start.

The trend worldwide at the moment seems to be for size in the backrow. It would be weird given he is co-captain but could that see Darge being squeezed out the starting team? I'm a bit fan of his but I don't think the way we play (primarily soak tackles rather than chop tackles) has really allowed him to stand out recently. There is an argument for one of Ritchie or Onyeama-Christie at 7 allowing either Dempsey and Fagerson at 6 and 8. Alternatively, Ritchie, Onyeama-Christie, and Fagerson/Dempsey is both fast and combative.

No bad options, and may come down to form and fitness, but I feel there is potential to get more than we have done recently.

[BaldiePete]

Big chance for someone else at 13. No one quite has Jones' game but we have some talent at 13 (though many of them prefer 12). Who would people see as the front runner?

Surely McDowall gets a run at 13?

Maybe Hutchinson has stepped up his physicality enough for Townsend (or the new defence coach) but also seems to play 12 most weeks and doesn’t offer the contrast of McDowall outside Tuipulotu.

Smith and Steyn have both played there a bit I guess but don’t see either as full-time centres.

Hutchison has been selected at 13 for the last two Northampton matches. I haven’t seen either of them to see if that’s how he actually lined up. I reckon it’ll be McDowall for the USA match but Hutchison may come into contention for the All Blacks.

[BaldiePete]

The most interesting other selection decisions are in the backrow (though would like to see Dobie get a good shot starting at 9). Unless I have missed something it looks like we will have all of the following available:

- Darge
- Ritchie
- Fagerson
- Dempsey
- Onyeama-Christie.

That's ignoring several (including Gregor Brown on the basis he might be seen more as a second row or sub option) as I view the above five as the ones really competing for a starting spot in the biggest games. The USA game may be a good chance for others to start.

The trend worldwide at the moment seems to be for size in the backrow. It would be weird given he is co-captain but could that see Darge being squeezed out the starting team? I'm a bit fan of his but I don't think the way we play (primarily soak tackles rather than chop tackles) has really allowed him to stand out recently. There is an argument for one of Ritchie or Onyeama-Christie at 7 allowing either Dempsey and Fagerson at 6 and 8. Alternatively, Ritchie, Onyeama-Christie, and Fagerson/Dempsey is both fast and combative.

No bad options, and may come down to form and fitness, but I feel there is potential to get more than we have done recently.

Only the three Glasgow back rows will be available for the USA match. I’d like to see Douglas get a run in that one. I’d also like Dobie to get a start and ideally with Russell outside him, maybe against Tonga or Argentina. I’m sure Townsend will start White against the All Blacks.

[Cameo]

Last year, Townsend went pretty much full (available) strength for the outside window game against Fiji. If so, may be Darge, Fagerson and Dempsey, but would be good to see some others. Shame Muncaster seems to have hurt himself.

[septic 9]

The most interesting other selection decisions are in the backrow (though would like to see Dobie get a good shot starting at 9). Unless I have missed something it looks like we will have all of the following available:

- Darge
- Ritchie
- Fagerson
- Dempsey
- Onyeama-Christie.

That's ignoring several (including Gregor Brown on the basis he might be seen more as a second row or sub option) as I view the above five as the ones really competing for a starting spot in the biggest games. The USA game may be a good chance for others to start.

The trend worldwide at the moment seems to be for size in the backrow. It would be weird given he is co-captain but could that see Darge being squeezed out the starting team? I'm a bit fan of his but I don't think the way we play (primarily soak tackles rather than chop tackles) has really allowed him to stand out recently. There is an argument for one of Ritchie or Onyeama-Christie at 7 allowing either Dempsey and Fagerson at 6 and 8. Alternatively, Ritchie, Onyeama-Christie, and Fagerson/Dempsey is both fast and combative.

No bad options, and may come down to form and fitness, but I feel there is potential to get more than we have done recently.

Only the three Glasgow back rows will be available for the USA match. I’d like to see Douglas get a run in that one. I’d also like Dobie to get a start and ideally with Russell outside him, maybe against Tonga or Argentina. I’m sure Townsend will start White against the All Blacks.

on current form..................Brown should be a nailed on starter at 6. Dempsey still to play in the URC this season. Christie Fagerson, Darge and Dempsey fight for the other starting slot. Probably depends on who is fit and available. I also expect Douglas to get game time, maybe a start USA. McConnell should not be discounted for that one either. And just to note Euan Ferrie is looking more and more a very dependable top player, now covering n8 as well as 6 and lock

[Mikey Brown]

Big chance for someone else at 13. No one quite has Jones' game but we have some talent at 13 (though many of them prefer 12). Who would people see as the front runner?

Surely McDowall gets a run at 13?

Maybe Hutchinson has stepped up his physicality enough for Townsend (or the new defence coach) but also seems to play 12 most weeks and doesn’t offer the contrast of McDowall outside Tuipulotu.

Smith and Steyn have both played there a bit I guess but don’t see either as full-time centres.

Hutchison has been selected at 13 for the last two Northampton matches. I haven’t seen either of them to see if that’s how he actually lined up. I reckon it’ll be McDowall for the USA match but Hutchison may come into contention for the All Blacks.

I hadn’t clocked that move back to 13 for Hutchinson. His flexibility is definitely a plus - I just think his defence in the 13 channel was always the big doubt. I think he and Dingwall mixed and matched a lot as it was, but perhaps Dingwall wants to be wearing 12 more to push his England case.

There’s a video going around of Hutchinson’s performance in his last game actually that included a number of uncharacteristic big hits and turnovers, plus a try. Though I wouldn’t expect that’s become a staple of his game.

As with the backrow it’s hard to know how much a new defensive direction might affect these selections, but it will be interesting to see if anyone can really take hold of the shirt in Jones’s absence.

It doesn’t feel like we’ve ever seen Redpath, McDowall or Hutchinson get more than a game or two consecutively.

[BaldiePete]

At first glance I don’t think there’s any real surprises there. No Freddie Douglas but it’s good to see McConnell get a chance.

Scotland squad for the 2025 Quilter Nations Series (caps in brackets):

Backs (18)

Fergus Burke – Saracens (2)
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (14)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (47)
Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (9)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (38)
Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (9)
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (60)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (14)
Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (14)
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (4)
Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (87)
Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (11)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (25)
Ross Thompson – Edinburgh Rugby (5)
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (30) – Captain
Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (49)
Ben White – Toulon (29)

Forwards (27)

Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (29)
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (11)
Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby (19)
Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (10)
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (42)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (32)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (26)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (57)
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (75)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (82)
Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (3)
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier (uncapped)
Liam McConnell – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (9)
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens (9)
D’Arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
Dylan Richardson – Edinburgh Rugby (6)
Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (60)
Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (42)
Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (43)
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
George Turner – Harlequins (47)
Murphy Walker – Glasgow Warriors (5)
Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (7)

[BaldiePete]

I hadn’t spotted that Harri Morris was in there.

[BaldiePete]

Rearranging into positions. However a lot of these players can cover multiple positions so I’ve put them in the position I think they’re most likely to be considered for.


Full Backs
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (60)
Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (9)
Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (11)

Wingers
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (4)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (47)
Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (49)
Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (14)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (25)

Centres
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (9)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (14)
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (30) – Captain

Stand Off
Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (87)
Fergus Burke – Saracens (2)
Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Ross Thompson – Edinburgh Rugby (5)

Scrum Half
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (14)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (38)
Ben White – Toulon (29)

Loose Head
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (42)
Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (43)
Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (3)

Hooker
Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (29)
Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
George Turner – Harlequins (47)
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)

Tight Head
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (75)
Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (9)
D’Arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
Murphy Walker – Glasgow Warriors (5)

2nd Row
Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (10)
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (42)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (82)
Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (7)

Back Row
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (11)
Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby (19)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (32)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (26)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (57)
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier (uncapped)
Liam McConnell – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens (9)
Dylan Richardson – Edinburgh Rugby (6)
Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (60)

[BaldiePete]

I also missed that Redpath hasn’t been included. That’s a shame, I watched the Bath v Leicester game at the weekend and he played well.

[Cameo]

Fair enough re Douglas. He's not played. Good to see McConnell there and I think he'll get a cap, and possibly even start the first game (though wouldn't be surprised to see Richardson start in the backrow either). Thought Ferrie might be there, but can't fit everyone in.

Lot's of noice about Morris, but he's there for experience and I think Hiddlestone is injured.

In the backs, think Redpath is the major miss. We are a bit overloaded at 12 though and have always seen him less as a 13.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

I'd imagine players like Cameron Henderson, Cameron Redpath and perhaps Euan Ferrie will be on the standby list in case of injuries etc before and during the autumn series.

How is Ferrie getting on at Edinburgh anyway, I recall a couple of years ago Mr English (BBC rugby podcast guest) was bigging him up as the next best thing .

[BaldiePete]

I'd imagine players like Cameron Henderson, Cameron Redpath and perhaps Euan Ferrie will be on the standby list in case of injuries etc before and during the autumn series.

How is Ferrie getting on at Edinburgh anyway, I recall a couple of years ago Mr English (BBC rugby podcast guest) was bigging him up as the next best thing .

Ferrie is a Glasgow player and he’s probably doing better than he would if he’d been an Edinburgh player.

[Cameo]

Ferrie's probably played moat of any of the young backrow. I think he may even have been in every squad last year. I thought this might be his chance, but tough to break in. Don't know if he is seen as having less stand out features than Douglas or McConnell.

[BaldiePete]

My projected team for the USA match with only home based players available.

Smith
Graham (if fit, otherwise Rowe)
McDowall
Tuipolotu
VDM (if fit, otherwise Steyn)
Hastings
Dobie
Schoeman
Ashman
Rae (assuming Fagerson not available)
Cummings
Williamson
Fagerson
Darge
Dempsey

Harrison
McBeth
Walker
Brown
Bradbury or McConnell
Horne
Thompson
Steyn or Rowe


If Steyn and Rowe both end up playing we might need to go 6:2 due to lack of numbers in the backs, in which case whichever of Bradbury and McConnell isn’t starting goes on the bench.

[septic 9]

My projected team for the USA match with only home based players available.

Smith
Graham (if fit, otherwise Rowe)
McDowall
Tuipolotu
VDM (if fit, otherwise Steyn)
Hastings
Dobie
Schoeman
Ashman
Rae (assuming Fagerson not available)
Cummings
Williamson
Fagerson
Darge
Dempsey

Harrison
McBeth
Walker
Brown
Bradbury or McConnell
Horne
Thompson
Steyn or Rowe


If Steyn and Rowe both end up playing we might need to go 6:2 due to lack of numbers in the backs, in which case whichever of Bradbury and McConnell isn’t starting goes on the bench.

too many Edinburgh players
Joking aside, this is a big part of Edin problem and has been for sooooooooooooooooooooo long
Play shit for Edinburgh and still get picked for them and for Scotland. Get rewarded for being poor. And Townsend has painted himself into that corner at hooker especially this time

[BaldiePete]

I have been the first to criticise Ashman in past seasons but he has been much improved this season and deserves his place. It’s difficult to assess Graham and VDM based on Edinburgh performances because Edinburgh don’t have a clue how to use them and even then Graham can still score some great tries (see last week against Benetton). They’re Scotland’s top try scorers and generally play their best when wearing a Scotland jersey. I think they’ll be picked if fit. Schoeman might be playing on reputation at the moment and Rae is there because we’re running out of home based tightheads.

[septic 9]

I have been the first to criticise Ashman in past seasons but he has been much improved this season and deserves his place. It’s difficult to assess Graham and VDM based on Edinburgh performances because Edinburgh don’t have a clue how to use them and even then Graham can still score some great tries (see last week against Benetton). They’re Scotland’s top try scorers and generally play their best when wearing a Scotland jersey. I think they’ll be picked if fit. Schoeman might be playing on reputation at the moment and Rae is there because we’re running out of home based tightheads.

Rae should start.
Both Schoeman and Sutherland are living on reputation but TBH I would be very tempted to start McBeth.
DvdM needs a kick up the arse. Fit or not he should not be picked. We have excellent options who will all work on and off the all and I'd rather see Wells called up. Graham will play if fit, no big issue with that for the USA game.
Ashman is classic Edinburgh player - goes AWOL too often when the pressure comes on but gets picked regardless

[Cameo]

I would go:

1. McBeth
2. Ashman
3. Rae
4. Cummings
5. Williamson
6. Brown
7. McConnell (I know not really his position, but I'd like to see him get a game while also wanting Brown starting at 6 for this one)
8. Dempsey (would be tempted to give Bradbury a game in this one, but Dempsey should play if he needs it before the NZ and Argentina games)
9. Dobie
10. Hastings
11. Graham
12. Tuipoluto
13. McDowall
14. Steyn
15. Smith

16. Sutherland
17. Harrison
18. Walker / Fagerson
19. Samuel
20. Bradbury
21. Horne
22. Thompson
23. Rowe

Bit of a mix of first choice in some positions and a bit of a chance for others.