Glasgow Warriors centre Sione Tuipulotu named Scotland captain for the first time ahead of November's internationals; head coach Gregor Townsend names five uncapped players in squad; Scotland will face Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia in Autumn Nations Series
Thursday 24 October 2024 10:15, UK
Sione Tuipulotu has been handed the Scotland captaincy for next month's Autumn Nations Series.
Gregor Townsend has appointed the Glasgow centre to the role ahead of Rory Darge and Finn Russell, who skippered the team on a joint basis in the Six Nations earlier this year.
Darge and Russell have been listed as vice-captains for the four Murrayfield Tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia.
Townsend has selected five uncapped players in his 45-man group, with Glasgow pair Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan joined by Edinburgh trio Ben Muncaster, Freddy Douglas and Mosese Tuipulotu, the younger brother of Sione.
Edinburgh stand-off Ben Healy has been left out after a difficult start to the season at club level, with Jordan preferred alongside the more experienced fly-half duo of Russell and Adam Hastings.
Edinburgh forward D'Arcy Rae and Northampton back Rory Hutchinson have been recalled to the squad, while talismanic wing Darcy Graham is back in the mix for the first time since last year's World Cup after recovering from injury.
As expected, there is no place in the squad for veteran forwards George Turner and Richie Gray, who have effectively ruled themselves out of contention for selection by moving from Glasgow to Japan.
On Gray's omission, Townsend said: "Richie was certainly in the discussions (for the autumn squad), we know he was available. He's not played for the last two or three weeks, so really it's a form decision.
"We're conscious that's him not going to be available for us after this period. Players that are deserving on form, that's the ones we look to select."
Townsend also revealed that Gray's brother Jonny declined the opportunity to return for this autumn's fixtures.
The lock, who joined Bordeaux from Exeter this summer, last played for his country in March 2023, before suffering a serious knee injury.
Gray has been playing regularly for his new club but does not feel ready to return for Scotland just yet, with Townsend adding: "Jonny and Bordeaux feel that given he's played two months of consistent rugby that it's an opportunity for him to rest during November.
"That's a bit disappointing from our perspective. We'd much rather have him playing with us, but that's just the way it is and we've got to move on with other second rows."
Asked if the door was still open for Gray to return in the future, Townsend said: "Of course. It'll depend if others grab their opportunities.
"He's come back and played at a high standard, but it's difficult with players playing in France. They're not available for all our games and we understand the challenges of that, but it's also disappointing that he's not available for this period."
Antoine Dupont has returned to the French squad for the first time since last year's Rugby World Cup as 42 players were named by head coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday for their three November Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
Dupont, 27, has not played for the full team since the quarter-final loss to South Africa in Paris in October, though he has since gone on to win an Olympic gold medal with the French sevens rugby team.
The internationals are the first for France since a controversy-laden tour of Argentina in July, overshadowed by the arrest of two French players on rape charges, and the sending home and subsequent lengthy suspension of full-back Melvyn Jaminet for racist comments on social media.
France rested many key players for the trip to South America but are back to near full strength for the November internationals, save for yet another injury to fly-half Romain Ntamack after a calf tear in domestic league action and the sidelining of hooker Julien Marchand.
Galthie has called up five new players in Tonga-born tighthead Tevita Tatafu, who has qualified after five years of residency, Toulouse second rower Joshua Brennan, and Bordeaux-Begles loose forwards Marko Gazzoti and Pierre Bochaton.
The 21-year-old Toulouse centre Paul Costes also received a first call-up to the squad.
3.10pm - England vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
5.40pm - Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield
8.10pm - Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium
3.10pm - England vs Australia, Twickenham
5.40pm - Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Friuli
8.10pm - France vs Japan, Stade de France
1.40pm - Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium
4.10pm - Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield
8.10pm - Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium
3.10pm - Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield
5.40pm - England vs South Africa, Twickenham
8.10pm - France vs New Zealand, Stade de France
1.40pm - Italy vs Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris
4.10pm - Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium
8.10pm - France vs Argentina, Stade de France
3.10pm - Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium
5.40pm - Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium
8.10pm - Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin
1.40pm - Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield
4.10pm - England vs Japan, Twickenham
3.10pm - Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium
Watch every game of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, including all three Test matches against the Wallabies, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Also stream with NOW.
