Again row Freddy Douglas might change into the youngest debutant for Scotland’s males’s facet for greater than 60 years after being named as a substitute in opposition to Portugal within the third Autumn Check at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The 19-year-old represented Scotland’s Beneath-18 facet within the 2023 Six Nations Pageant solely 18 months in the past however seems poised to be the youngest participant to function for the complete nationwide facet since Donald White in 1963.
The Edinburgh ahead has performed for Edinburgh A this season and has additionally represented Scotland within the Beneath-20 Six Nations and World Rugby Beneath-20 Trophy in 2024.
He made probably the most tackles and breakdown steals within the Beneath-20 Six Nations.
His Edinburgh team-mate Ben Muncaster, who performed for Scotland A in opposition to Chile on the 2022 summer season tour, will certainly make his debut after being named within the again row alongside Bathtub’s Josh Bayliss and Luke Crosbie of Edinburgh.
Glasgow lock Alex Samuel can even win his first Scotland cap and will likely be partnered within the second row by Scarlets’ Alex Craig.
Stafford McDowall will captain the facet and will likely be joined in midfield by Northampton Saints’ Rory Hutchinson, who will play for Scotland for the primary time because the 2022 summer season tour in opposition to Argentina.
Darcy Graham returns following his concussion in opposition to Fiji earlier this month whereas Arron Reed will likely be on the other wing after making his debut on the summer season tour. Tom Jordan retains his place at full-back.
Johnny Matthews, a late call-up to the squad, is on the bench and is probably going so as to add to his one cap in opposition to Romania within the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Younger Oyannax lock Ewan Johnson can also be a substitute whereas Kyle Rowe returns after lacking the South Africa match by means of damage.
Scotland crew to face Portugal
Jordan (Glasgow); Graham (Edinburgh), Hutchinson (Northampton), McDowall (Glasgow) Reed (Sale); Hastings (Glasgow), Horne (Glasgow); Bhatti (Glasgow), Harrison (Edinburgh), Hurd (Leicester); Craig (Scarlets), Samuel (Glasgow); Crosbie (Edinburgh), Muncaster (Edinburgh), Bayliss (Bathtub).
Replacements: Matthews (Glasgow), Sutherland (Glasgow), Millar Mills (Northampton), Johnson (Oyonnax), Douglas (Edinburgh), Dobie (Glasgow), Currie (Edinburgh), Rowe (Glasgow).
