Tuipulotu to skipper Scotland in Autumn Internationals

October 23, 2024

Tuipulotu to skipper Scotland in Autumn Internationals

Posted by Editor on October 23, 2024 03:20 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Sione Tuipulotu has been named as captain of Scotland's 45-man playing group

Glasgow's Sione Tuipulotu has been named as captain of Scotland's 45-man playing group for the upcoming Test matches at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Tuipulotu is one of 19 Warriors selected by Head Coach Gregor Townsend.

Explaining his choice of captain, Townsend 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."

There's a first senior international call-up for Tom Jordan - the fly-half/centre is selected in the squad ahead of qualifying on residency next month.

Alex Samuel joins Jordan in earning the opportunity to compete for a senior international debut, with the second-rower included after being involved in every Glasgow Warriors match to date this campaign.

All three of the Warriors to have made their debut during the 2024 Skyscanner Summer Tour retain their places in the national setup, as Gregor Brown, Max Williamson and Nathan McBeth are all once again included in the playing group.

At the other end of the international experience spectrum, Zander Fagerson is the most-capped Warrior selected by Townsend as the tight-head prepares to add to his 67 caps next month, whilst brother Matt could bring up a half-century of international appearances this November.

Huw Jones also brings his international experience to the setup, with fellow centre Stafford McDowall likewise selected amongst the options in the midfield after co-captaining Scotland for the first time against Canada earlier this year.

Two of Glasgow's summer signings are named in the Scotland setup for the first time since arriving at Scotstoun, as Adam Hastings and Rory Sutherland are each rewarded for their form so far in 2024/25 with selection for the upcoming Tests.

George Horne and Jamie Dobie are both selected in the half-backs, the former having crossed for a brace in Saturday's clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.

Kyle Rowe - who was heavily involved in both of Horne's scores, as well as having crossed twice himself in the win over Cardiff earlier this month - completes the cohort of Glasgow backs named in the squad, whilst Jamie Bhatti and Scott Cummings are both selected after consistently excelling in the tight-five.

A pair of back-row standouts complete the cohort of Warriors, as Jack Dempsey is named alongside Rory Darge.

Scotland open their The Famous Grouse Nations Series campaign next weekend, as the men in blue welcome Fiji to Scottish Gas Murrayfield before Tests against South Africa, Portugal and Australia on consecutive weekends.

The Famous Grouse Autumn Nations Series Squad (caps in brackets):

Forwards (26)

Backs (19)

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October 23, 2024

Tuipulotu to skipper Scotland in Autumn Internationals