Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has selected 17 Glasgow Warriors for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, as the men in blue prepare to open their campaign against Tonga at BT Murrayfield next weekend.
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The Glasgow contingent includes five players hoping to make their debuts in Scotland colours, including Rufus McLean; the winger currently leads the United Rugby Championship in clean breaks with six after four rounds.
Sione Tuipulotu is also included amongst Townsend’s midfield options, having crossed for his first try for the Warriors in last weekend’s victory over Zebre Parma as the latest part of an eye-catching start to his Glasgow career.
Half-back duo Jamie Dobie and Ross Thompson retain their spaces after linking up with the squad for a two-day training camp earlier this week, the former having also been a part of the Scotland squad for the conclusion of the Guinness Six Nations earlier in 2021.
The uncapped quintet is completed by Rory Darge, whose early season form sees him in contention for an international bow in the number seven shirt.
Elsewhere, Danny Wilson’s squad provides six of the front-row options available to Townsend and his coaching team, with Fraser Brown and George Turner both included at hooker.
Jamie Bhatti and Oli Kebble are selected after both men featured in the away win in Parma, whilst Murray McCallum will look to add to his tally of Scotland caps from 2018 after joining Zander Fagerson amongst the front-row ranks.
Rob Harley’s experience sees the club’s record holder for appearances included in the engine room, with Matt Fagerson looking to build on his Guinness Six Nations form for Scotland at number eight.
The Warriors provide all three of the scrum-halves in the 42-man playing group, as Ali Price and George Horne join Dobie in the stable of number nines chosen by Townsend.
Sam Johnson returns to the fold after returning to action at the start of the season in impressive style, whilst Kyle Steyn completes the Glasgow contingent as he looks to add to his single Scotland cap to date from the win over France at BT Murrayfield in March 2020.
Scotland open their campaign against Tonga at BT Murrayfield next weekend, before facing Australia, South Africa and Japan on successive weekends at the home of Scottish rugby.