Rugby-McDowall to skipper much changed Scotland side against Portugal


  • Rugby
  • Thursday, 14 Nov 2024

Rugby Union - European Champions Cup - Semi Final - Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - April 29, 2023 Glasgow Warriors' Stafford McDowall celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo

(Reuters) - Scotland made wholesale changes to their team for Saturday’s test against Portugal with Stafford McDowall to captain the side, which has two new caps, and fullback Tom Jordan the only player from last week’s starting lineup to keep his place.

Winger Darcy Graham returns to side for the match at Murrayfield after concussion ruled him out of their clash against South Africa last week.

He scored four tries in the 57-17 win over Fiji at Murrayfield at the start of the month, where he briefly equalled the record for the most tries for Scotland only to see Duhan van der Merwe reclaim the mark later in the game.

Now he has a chance to overtake the 29-try haul as Van der Merwe is one of the 14 players making way after Scotland lost 32-15 to South Africa last Sunday.

The 21-year-old Alex Samuel is set for a first Scotland cap after being named in the second row while Ben Muncaster will debut at flank.

Freddy Douglas could make his Scotland debut from the bench, and at 19 years old would become Scotland's youngest debutant since Donald White in 1963. The powerful back-rower represented Scotland at the Under-20 World Cup earlier this year.

It will be McDowall’s second match as captain after leading the side to a runaway 73-12 win over Canada in Ottawa in July.

Kyle Rowe, who injured a hamstring against Fiji, is back on the bench for the meeting with Portugal.

Team: 15-Tom Jordan, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Rory Hutchinson, 12-Stafford McDowall (capt.), 11-Arron Reed, 10-Adam Hastings, 9-George Horne, 8-Josh Bayliss, 7-Ben Muncaster, 6-Luke Crosbie, 5-Alex Samuel, 4-Alex Craig, 3-Will Hurd, 2-Patrick Harrison, 1-Jamie Bhatti

Replacements: 16-Johnny Matthews, 17-Rory Sutherland, 18-Elliot Millar Mills, 19-Ewan Johnson, 20-Freddy Douglas, 21-Jamie Dobie, 22-Matt Currie, 23-Kyle Rowe.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Rugby

Rugby-All Blacks coach Robertson taking no chances against Italy
Rugby-Prendergast starts as Ireland make seven changes for Fiji clash
Rugby-Capuozzo returns for Italy to face All Blacks, Brex named captain
Rugby-All Black pair Cane and Perenara set for final farewell against Italy
Rugby-Scotland will be toughest test for Wallabies, says Skelton
Rugby-Springboks make front row reshuffle ahead of Wales test
Rugby-South Africa expect desperate Wales to put up a fight in Cardiff
Rugby-Erasmus and Gatland make peace ahead of showdown in Cardiff
Rugby-Struggling Wales make five changes for South Africa test
Rugby-Australia's Kerevi given three match suspension for dangerous tackle

Others Also Read