FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - Scotland v Tonga - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - September 24, 2023 Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu in action with Tonga's Paula Ngauamo REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
(Reuters) - Centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain Scotland in their November internationals, coach Gregor Townsend announced on Wednesday as he named an expansive 45-player group for the tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia at Murrayfield.
The Australia-born Tuipulotu, who qualified through his Scottish grandmother, takes over the role from Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie, who were also both included in the squad, which has five uncapped players.
"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," said Townsend in a statement from the Scottish Rugby Union.
"He often sets the emotional tone and mindset required for the team and he also contributes significantly to both our attack and defence."
Finn Russell and Darge were named as vice-captains, with mercurial flyhalf Russell among a clutch of players returning after being rested for the July tour of the Americas.
But Russell will not be able to play in Scotland's first fixture against Fiji on Nov. 2, which takes place before the test window opens, which means Townsend can only select players based in Scotland.
The five uncapped players include Sione's brother, Mosese Tuipulotu, with the Glasgow Warriors flyhalf Tom Jordan and lock Alex Samuel joining the Edinburgh back row duo of Freddy Douglas and Ben Muncaster.
Squad:
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings (all Glasgow Warriors), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Alex Craig (Scarlets), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey (both Glasgow Warriors), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson (both Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist, Patrick Harrison (both Edinburgh), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers), Ewan Johnson (Oyonnax), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints), Ben Muncaster, D'Arcy Rae (both Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland, Max Williamson (both Glasgow Warriors)
Backs: Matt Currie (Edinburgh), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings, George Horne (both Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), Huw Jones, Tom Jordan (both Glasgow Warriors), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), Harry Paterson, Ali Price (both Edinburgh), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Bath), Mosese Tuipulotu (Edinburgh), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon)
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
