Scottish Rugby

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Will asked: Has our autumn schedule ruined our chances of making the top World Cup seeding group? We will gain little to no ranking points against USA and Tonga and could easily lose against both NZ and Argentina. Seems like no consideration was put into this when the games were agreed.

Tom answered: Well, as you know, you only get significant world ranking points if you beat countries higher than you in the world rankings.

There are seven nations ahead of Scotland at the moment. Take out Ireland, France and England as potential autumn Test opponents (Scotland wouldn't play against one of them in an autumn outside of a World Cup window unless it was for a special reason, like a centenary game or such like) and you are left with South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.

They're playing two of them - world numbers two and six. No matter which way you cut it, their 'marquee' autumn opponents would be tough. They could have got Australia instead of New Zealand but it's not really a pick and mix situation.

Scotland really have to win both games against New Zealand and Argentina and probably hope for other results going their way if they are to break into the top six in the world - and thereby getting into top seed territory when the World Cup draw is made on 3 December.

It's very, very hard to see that happening. The loss to Fiji (currently one place below Scotland in the rankings) in the summer did a fair bit of damage.

That game (with Scotland missing around a dozen players) rather than anything in the autumn was the problem. Scotland will almost certainly be a second seed when the draw is made.

Graeme asked: Hi Tom, what happens to Gregor Townsend if we finish fourth or fifth in the 2026 Six Nations? He's talking up the team right now so if it is another lacklustre tournament…

Tom answered: If Scotland finish fourth then there'll be a lot of criticism, but it depends on what type of fourth it is.

In 2021 they won three games, lost to Wales by one point and lost to Ireland by three and finished fourth. Something like that would not be the cause for hair catching fire. They've also had very unimpressive fourths, of course.

If it's fifth, then that will definitely have been a very poor season and pressure will really pile on top of him. His deal with Red Bull will get plenty of adverse coverage.

He won't be removed, in my view, but the negativity will be a major problem. The summer games then become really important. More disappointment there and he might be in trouble, especially since he told me a few weeks ago this is the best position Scotland has been in on his watch.

This is all very negative, though. What if they have a terrific Six Nations and, for once, keep themselves in the title hunt all the way to the last weekend?

They need to avoid injuries to key players. They had lousy luck a year ago and everything was derailed. Let's hope that all of Scotland's big hitters are fit and we get a true picture of where this team is at.

Visit this page on Thursday morning for part two of the Q&A.

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's 45-man Scotland squad for the autumn internationals.

Here is what some of you said:

Charlie: I like the look of the team. There is total faith in the Scottish backs, but as usual, how will the forwards go? The hooker position is an issue, I still don't understand why Johnny Matthews doesn't get a look in. I'd be happy if Townsend went with George Turner, even with him having a lack of game time. Is the team good enough to finally beat New Zealand? Here's hoping.

Abigail: Overall a squad with high quality and strong depth that has been built over the past few years. A surprise omission is Cameron Redpath, I thought he had a strong chance to pair with Sione Tuipulotu. Harri Morris chosen over Gregor Hiddleston is also surprising.

Al: What's happening with Townsend and the Glasgow hookers? It's been clear for a while he doesn't fancy Matthews at international level but Hiddleston has started the season well yet is behind Morris who hasn't played much for Edinburgh. It would be understandable if it was predominantly an Edinburgh lineout, but I'm sure we'll see plenty of Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Alex Samuel, and Max Williamson throughout November.

Rory: Great to see a lot of the Glasgow emerging stars in. Samuel and Brown in particular have been great this season. But what does Hiddleston have to do to get selected? He's been one of Glasgow's frontline hookers for the last two seasons, great in the loose and the lineout, but consistently overlooked.

Stuart: A great squad, some good players have missed out but that just shows the depth we have.

Bruce: Powerful look squad selected, but no Matthews? I assume Huw Jones is unavailable due to injury? These two points aside, it's great to see Townsend selecting players on form. Can't wait for the tests to start.

Max: Magnus Bradbury's power and talent have never been doubted but he often lacked the level-headed clinical edge required of a back row early in his career. He now shows much more maturity and leadership. Hopefully this leads to some great contributions in a Scotland shirt over the coming years.

Niall: What does Euan Ferrie have to do to get a place in the squad. It's not a coincidence that Franco Smith made him Glasgow captain for the first two friendlies of the season. His tackling and link play from six are the best out of all the Scottish players, last season and so far this season.

Graeme: Why no Redpath in the squad for autumn tests? He provides an alternative outlet for Finn Russell and keeps blitz defences guessing and not just targeting Russell.

Andrew Petrie and Colin Gregor look back on a good weekend for Edinburgh & Glasgow in the URC, while they also discuss Gregor Townsend's squad selections and a new initiative in Scottish sevens.

Listen and subscribe.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend admitted that the upcoming Autumn Nations Series might be "the last opportunity" to look at some of his up-and-coming talent before the 2027 World Cup.

The autumn Tests often provide Tier 2 opposition for Scotland to try out some younger players, but next year that will be replaced by a tournament among the top 10 sides in the world.

"We do see this as an opportunity, probably the last opportunity we'll get over the next two seasons, to have a look at players in the wider squad, players that are coming through really quickly, that we believe will be big parts of our squad in the future," Townsend said.

"That's one of the many positives about this [United States] fixture. Obviously it gives us a week's training for all our squad as we build up to New Zealand but also we can pick players that might not have made the squad or might not be regular starters."

The USA match also falls outside the international window, meaning that Townsend can only pick players from either Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh.

That could provide the chance for youngsters like Edinburgh pair Liam McConnell and Harri Morris, or Glasgow's Max Williamson, Alex Samuel and Murphy Walker.

"We get to see them more than just in training, they get the opportunity to play," Townsend said. "It's a tough fixture. USA beat Samoa to qualify for the World Cup. Any team that doesn't regularly get a chance to play a Six Nations team are hugely motivated.

"Obviously, playing at home in front of what will be a big crowd is massively motivating for us. The game is going to change in terms of fixtures with the Nations Cup that's coming in."

If autumn Tests are out of the equation, there could still be one summer tour left in 2026 for Townsend to try out the likes of Gregor Hiddleston, Jare Oguntibeju, or Euan Ferrie - all uncapped Glasgow players knocking on the door of a call-up.

That is, unless, Townsend opts to pitch them straight into a Six Nations cauldron.

Pressure does make diamonds, though, as we saw when Gregor Brown put in a tremendous shift against France in Paris. He went on to win a British & Irish Lions call up just a few months later.

"We won't really be playing games against teams that are out of the top 10 or top 12 in the world," the head coach continued. "It is one of those final opportunities to look at players that aren't in our top 15 right now but could be if they go and grab that opportunity."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after announcing his Autumn Nations Series squad.

Here are the key points:

• On first call-ups for Edinburgh pair Liam McConnell and Harri Morris, Townsend says both "can thrive at Test level" and "have a physical edge in their performances". He is kept up to date on their training levels by club coaches and says McConnell has "grabbed his opportunity" at Edinburgh.

• With World Rugby launching a new autumn tournament next year, which will see Scotland play other top 10 sides in the world, Townsend acknowledged this is one of the last opportunities over the next two seasons to look at players in the wider squad.

• Zander Fagerson and Rory Darge, who are both struggling for fitness, are both "on target to be available for the New Zealand game" while Jack Dempsey is in full training at Glasgow.

• Scotland are yet to beat New Zealand in any competition, but the head coach says the "aim every time you play is to win. We know it would be historic to beat New Zealand. We believed we could beat the number one team in the world" last autumn when they faced South Africa.

• On the backlash to his part-time advisory role with Red Bull, Townsend doesn't "really follow it" and adds he's "hugely privileged" and "incredibly grateful to David [Nucifora]" for extending his contract as Scotland head coach.

• Townsend also says that, as an international coach, "there's time where you can choose what you do whether that be media or away from the game". He is "wary of any potential conflicts" but doesn't see any.

• On returning Magnus Bradbury, who has been made captain at Edinburgh this season, he says the number eight "developed as a leader last season" and would have been called up for the summer tour were it not for non-rugby reasons.

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Magnus Bradbury has been handed a Scotland recall while uncapped forwards Alexander Masibaka, Liam McConnell and Harri Morris are also named in Scotland's 45-man squad for the autumn internationals.

Edinburgh captain Bradbury made the last of his 19 international appearances more than three years ago but is back in the fold for next month's Tests against USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga.

British and Irish Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain Gregor Townsend's side for this series while senior players Zander Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Rory Darge have all been selected despite injury hampering their involvement with Glasgow Warriors this season.

What do you make of the squad? Are there any omissions who should be selected?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Got any burning questions on Scottish rugby? Our chief sportswriter Tom English is ready to answer them.

Send them in via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland wing duo dodge injury scares

There were some understandably concerned Edinburgh fans at Hive Stadium when Duhan van der Merwe hobbled off and Darcy Graham received treatment on a knee problem in their dominant win over Benetton.

However, Graham soldiered on and scored two magnificent tries before playing down his knee issue after the game - "I just needed to run it off and get a wee bit of ice on it," he said.

Van der Merwe also scored before being replaced, but head coach Sean Everitt confirmed afterwards it is just a bruised heel and he expects the South African-born totem to be fit for this weekend's trip to Cardiff.

Bradbury embracing leadership role

Magnus Bradbury's talent has never been in question.

He made his Scotland debut as a 21-year-old in a 19-16 victory over Argentina in 2016 and has impressed at club level for both Edinburgh and Bristol Bears.

However, he has fallen out of favour at international level in recent years.

A recall to Gregor Townsend's squad would not be a surprise though given both Jack Dempsey's injury and Bradbury's performances and new leadership role since returning to the Scottish capital.

He put in an impressive shift against Benetton, capped with a powerful drive for Edinburgh's sixth try of the game.

Scott shines at fly-half

Everitt has struggled to settle on a first-choice 10 since taking the Edinburgh job.

Ben Healy was brought to the club to be that man, but has never quite nailed down the jersey, while it has been a similar story for Scot Ross Thompson, who signed from Glasgow in 2024.

24-year-old academy graduate Cammy Scott was handed a first home start for the club against Benetton and impressed alongside scrum-half Charlie Shiel.

Scott kicked well from hand and off the tee and provided his dangerous back three with plenty of running opportunities, starting with an excellent flat pass to Wes Goosen that set up Van der Merwe's try.

It will be intriguing to see who Everitt favours at fly-half against Cardiff.

We asked for your views as Glasgow and Edinburgh both picked up URC wins.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ospreys 17-42 Glasgow

Ben: Jamie Dobie is some player! Would love to see him get some consistent starts for both Glasgow and Scotland.

The Benetton loss was frustrating, but Franco Smith would have been targeting four wins from the opening block and we look to be on track for that. We still have yet to put out our strongest team and the depth continues to build!

Stuart: Competitive match until 50 minutes played. Glasgow more of a threat than Ospreys during the whole match. In the last 30 minutes Warriors, upped game and cruised it. Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Dobie and Matt Fagerson outstanding, as were Euan Ferrie and Maccenzie Duncan. Greasy conditions due rain but a convincing win away from home.

Ethan: Despite being heavily rotated and a very close game for most of it, Glasgow managed to soar past the Ospreys.

They did lack the killer instinct to score a couple of tries in the first half, especially during the yellow card, and weren't as bad as that Benetton performance but in the second half, everything clicked.

Dobie showed he is no longer just a finisher but outright contender to Ben White for the nine jersey as superb performance. Hopefully Glasgow build on that second half performance to beat the Bulls at Scotstoun.

Paul: Looks like Glasgow are getting into the swing of things now. Even with all the changes to the match day squad from the Dragons game, the performance was much more like one we've come to expect from Glasgow under Smith.

The defence has been good, and now the attack has found some rhythm. Just in time for the Bulls too. It will be interesting to see if Smith picks something like his strongest 23 for that, or sticks to spreading the load.

Edinburgh 43-0 Benetton

Andy: So much better than expected, although tempered by Benetton leaving out some of their better players. Outstanding defence and clinical finishing is a good combination to watch and fingers crossed they kick on in coming games.

Top performance from Magnus Bradbury as captain and pleased he got his try. Winnable but tight fixture against Cardiff coming up and Edinburgh can't afford to slip back to indiscipline we've recently seen

Doug: Great win against a misfiring Benetton team. Thought James Lang was excellent throughout carrying hard and some great passes too. Some solid defence as well, but the question is what Edinburgh will turn up next week??

Anon: Really promising performance from Edinburgh. Their forwards were aggressive and made metres through contact, but their backs were fluid and connected which was a surprise.

Cammy Scott had a nice first start and James Lang continued his excellent form. Darcy Graham took his two tries really well. Very good performance, can they keep it going?

David: For once I'm delighted to say THAT is more like it! More please. Cammy Scott and Charlie Shiel worked really well together.

Glasgow Warriors are up to third in the United Rugby Championship after a fine, six-try win away to Ospreys.

Read the match report.

And let us know your thoughts.

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Darcy Graham allayed concerns over a potential knee injury after starring in Edinburgh's 43-0 win over Benetton on Friday.

The Scotland star needed treatment and strapping in the first half of the URC contest, but was able to play on and scored two magnificent tries in the dominant victory.

With Scotland's first match of the Autumn Nations Series against USA fast approaching, Graham said his knee felt "all right" at full-time.

"I got through that game after I tweaked it early on," he told Premier Sports.

"I just needed to run it off and get a wee bit of ice on it at half-time."

Graham went on to say Edinburgh set the standard for the rest of their season with their first victory of the season.

"It was a good win," he said. "It's a start for us - that's our starting point and we're not dropping below that.

"It was awesome tonight. Close to a sell-out and it was a great atmosphere.

"Cammy Scott controlled the game really well and Charlie Shiel is a class player - every time he plays, he's electric."

Edinburgh sealed their first United Rugby Championship win of the season with a morale-boosting bonus-point home success over Benetton.

Read the match report.

Let us know your thoughts.

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt tells Premier Sports: "Happy with the performance - not a complete performance by any means, but good to get the win and proud of the seven tries we scored.

"It's always good to keep a team to zero. Tonight we had the discipline and put it all together.

"Dylan [Richardson] is an incredible player with incredible work rate. Happy for him.

"Cammy Scott is a guy we've been watching closely and working with. He's strong defensively and ran the attack well.

"Defensively it gives us energy. Defence can win you rugby games. We were four points away from two wins away from home, so obviously we wanted to bounce back."

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Scotland cap Ollie Smith says Glasgow need a fast start if the Warriors want to stand any chance against Ospreys in Saturday's URC clash in Swansea.

The Welsh side took a 24-0 victory over Zebre at home last weekend, while Franco Smith's side beat Dragons 49-0 at Scotstoun.

But in the last meeting between the two clubs in March, Ospreys opened up a 15-0 lead on their way to a 32-31 win in Glasgow.

"It's going to be a difficult match," said full-back Smith.

"Travelling away from home is always difficult in this league. Ospreys are playing a good brand of rugby, they had a good win against Zebre last week so it's going to be a tough game in tough conditions probably.

"As we've seen in the last couple of weeks, especially last week, Ospreys start pretty well. They scored two early tries and it was the same when we played them at Scotstoun last year.

"We got stung a bit in the first 20 minutes so there's a lot of focus on the first 20 minutes from us, coming out the blocks fast and starting the game from there.

"It comes back to being ready to go from the first whistle and not taking too long to get into the game."

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Scotland centre Stafford McDowall will return to Franco Smith's squad when Warriors face Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday in the last match before the autumn international break.

McDowall, who captained Scotland for their first match of the Pacific Tour against the Maori All Blacks in the summer, missed out altogether last week after being rested against Dragons. He is joined by Matt Fagerson, who returns from an ankle injury.

The Scotland caps' inclusion are two of nine changes to the starting XV that beat the Welsh side 49-0 at Scotstoun last weekend.

An all-new front-row sees Patrick Schickerling and Murphy Walker joining Johnny Matthews, who made his 100th appearance for the club by coming off the bench last Saturday, while Alex Samuel returns to the second-row alongside Max Williamson.

Euan Ferrie retains his place in the starting pack, shifting to blindslide flanker in a back-row completed by Angus Fraser and Fagerson at number eight.

Jamie Dobie reverts to scrum-half after starting on the wing last time out, with Adam Hastings continues at fly-half, only needing 13 more points to reach 500 in a Glasgow jersey.

Scotland U20 Seb Stephen makes his first appearance of the season after being named among the replacements, while Nathan McBeth returns from injury for his first outing of the season.

Alex Craig returns to the bench after making his debut last time out.

Scott Cummings, George Horne, Rory Sutherland, Gregor Hiddleston, Fin Richardson and Josh McKay miss out altogether from the squad last week.

Glasgow Warriors: Smith, Steyn (C), McDowall, S Tuipulotu, Rowe; Hastings, Dobie; Schickerling, Matthews, Walker, Williamson, Samuel, Ferrie, Fraser, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Stephen, McBeth, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Craig, Duncan, Afshar, Lancaster.

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Head coach Sean Everitt is "excited" for the delayed start to Edinburgh's home season but has warned that a Benetton side full of international quality will provide a stiff test in Friday's United Rugby Championship contest.

Edinburgh's opening game was postponed amid stormy weather and, having lost narrowly in Munster last time out, Everitt told his club website: "It had already felt like a long time since we'd been back with our fans and now even more so – so we can't wait be playing in front of them again.

"We're excited to be back at home after a false start with the postponed Ulster game."

Benetton lost their opening away game to Connacht but already have a Scottish scalp this season, having won at home to Glasgow Warriors.

"Benetton can't be underestimated with the squad they have," Everitt said. "They've got plenty of Italian internationals playing for them and they've got overseas internationals as well, so they're a really good team."

Everitt pointed to new attack coach Pete Wilkins as a key factor in their newfound potency, noting their impressive wins over Glasgow and the Lions.

"Benetton have done well," he said. "They've changed the way they play.

"They've had to grow and they certainly look a better outfit than what they showed last year. They're a dangerous team."

However, Everitt thinks Edinburgh are "headed in the right direction" and pointed out that the defeat by Munster came amid a flurry of four yellow cards.

"The yellow cards in the context of the game and in rugby were correct," he added. "So we have to take that on the chin. I'm just proud of the way the guys fought with numbers down."

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Fly-half Cammy Scott makes his first home start for Edinburgh as they entertain Benetton in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

The 24-year-old academy graduate is one of three changes to the side that lost narrowly in Munster last time out.

Scrum-half Charlie Shiel and lock Grant Gilchrist also come into the side for what is Edinburgh's first home game of the season after their match against Ulster was postponed because of Storm Amy.

Scotland international Dylan Richardson, who joined Edinburgh from Sharks this summer, retains his place after making his first start against Munster.

Head coach Sean Everitt said the South Africa-born player "certainly showed what he's about" in his first outing at flanker.

Scrum-half Ben Vellacott drops to the bench, while lock Marshall Sykes is rested and Ben Healy also sits out the match at Hive Stadium, with Ross Thompson being the fly-half on the bench on his return from injury.

Loosehead James Whitcombe is also among the replacements in place of the rested Boan Venter.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh will be debuting what they describe as an innovative pre-match light show before kick-off that synchronises the mobile devices of those in attendance.

Edinburgh: ⁠Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Piers O'Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Cammy Scott, Charlie Shiel; Pierre Schoeman, ⁠Ewan Ashman, D'arcy Rae, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, ⁠Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury (capt).

Replacements: ⁠Paddy Harrison, James Whitcombe, Paul Hill, Glen Young, Freddy Douglas, Ben Vellacott, Ross Thompson, Ross McCann.

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Gregor Townsend believes Scotland are in the "best position" ever in the time he has been head coach, and insists there is still more to come from his side.

"What we've gone through, good and bad, we're in the best position that we've been in, in the time that I've been here," said Townsend on the BBC's Scottish Rugby Podcast.

"When you look at other teams that have had success, there's a couple of common elements. One is player leadership, and we've now got some real leaders in our group.

"The other one is cap numbers, so now we're getting into the top four or five in the world of caps in our team. That means we're a cohesive team. We've not had many changes throughout our bigger games, our Six Nations and November Tests.

"With that, they play together, they've had experiences, but I feel that this team is in the best place ever, and I'm going to be a part of that for the next two years, so that's brilliant.

"I love the time I'm with the players, and summer tour was another reminder to me about the joy I get out of it, but also what we're capable of achieving."

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Former Test winger Damien Hoyland is one of six contracted players as Scotland launch a men's sevens programme.

It will be run by Scottish Rugby and will also oversee the men's and women's Great Bitain sevens teams prior to World Series events.

Hoyland, who made his Scotland debut in 2015 and has previously played for Edinburgh, joins after featuring in Major League Rugby in the USA for Old Glory DC.

Josh Radcliffe, a 22-year-old Australian-born sevens player who qualifies for Scotland through his father and has recently been playing for New Zealand Universities, is also included.

Great Britain Sevens players Finn Callaghan - who came through the Glasgow Academy - Matt Davidson, who has played for Edinburgh, and Watsonians' Roan Frostwick are among the six.

Jacob Henry - a former Scotland Under-20s player who featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games - is the final member of the squad.

The programme will be run by Ciaran Beattie, who was previously head coach of Scotland sevens and has led Great Britain sevens since Scotland, England and Wales combined to compete on the World Series.

The core contracted players will be complemented by others from outside, including from Glasgow and Edinburgh's professional academies.

It was announced in May that the GB men and women's full-time sevens programme would be scrapped in July, with no more permanent contracts and players instead coming together to play on the World SVNS Series.

The unions say the decision was driven by financial pressures and a bid to improve the crossover with the 15-a-side game.

The GB women's sevens programme will operate predominantly out of England and Wales with players from all three countries able to be nominated for selection.

Scottish Rugby performance director David Nucifora said: "The Sevens World Series is an excellent opportunity to expose our players to international rugby and better prepare them for the demands of professional rugby.

"The new model allows us to develop young Scottish players in a full-time training environment prior to exposing them to the world stage by competing for Great Britain."