Newcastle back row Ollie Leatherbarrow receives his maiden Scotland call-up for the upcoming autumn Nations Championship fixtures.
Uncapped Newcastle Red Bulls back row Ollie Leatherbarrow has secured his first senior call-up for the Scotland national rugby union team. Head coach Gregor Townsend named the 24-year-old in a 37-strong squad for three major home fixtures.
The Scotland squad is preparing to face opponents including New Zealand, Australia, and Japan during the autumn window. Leatherbarrow qualifies for the national team through his grandmother, who originates from Perth, according to information published by BBC.
The Macclesfield-born forward previously represented Scotland at both under-16 and under-20 levels before breaking into the senior setup. He began his professional club career at Exeter Chiefs prior to joining Newcastle in 2023,, according to information published by BBC.
Uncapped Ollie Leatherbarrow inclusion surprises rugby pundits
The selection of Ollie Leatherbarrow brings fresh energy to the Scottish pack, yet the squad announcement also featured notable omissions. In-form Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas missed out on selection despite strong club performances, according to information published by BBC.
Head coach Gregor Townsend balanced emerging talent with seasoned leadership by recalling senior players. Experienced trio Jamie Ritchie, Darcy Graham, and Duhan van der Merwe all return to the squad following recent injury recoveries, according to information published by BBC.
Key player selections and overseas representation
Glasgow Warriors hooker Seb Stephen retains his place as one of three selected hookers after making his international debut in July. Influential back-rower Jack Dempsey also keeps his spot despite his summer move to Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus, according to information published by BBC.
Captain Sione Tuipulotu will lead a squad featuring a strong contingent of Glasgow Warriors players alongside international stars based across Europe. Experienced lock Gilchrist returns from injury, while scrum-half Hector Patterson missed selection despite a bright start to the season, according to information published by BBC.
Autumn Nations Championship fixture schedule
Scotland will host the All Blacks at Murrayfield on 7 November in their opening autumn fixture. The team subsequently faces the Wallabies on 15 November and the Brave Blossoms on 21 November, according to information published by BBC.
The autumn series concludes the new Nations Championship format with final positional playoffs scheduled for the weekend of 28 to 29 November at Twickenham. Final rankings will depend on overall hemisphere standings across July and November matches, according to information published by BBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ollie Leatherbarrow?
Ollie Leatherbarrow is a 24-year-old uncapped back row player for Newcastle Red Bulls who earned his first senior call-up for Scotland.
Why does Ollie Leatherbarrow qualify to play for Scotland?
Leatherbarrow qualifies to represent Scotland internationally because his grandmother was born in Perth.
Who are the notable omissions from the Scotland squad?
In-form Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas are surprising omissions from the 37-strong Scotland squad named by Gregor Townsend.
When does Scotland play New Zealand in the autumn series?
Scotland will host the All Blacks at Murrayfield on 7 November for their opening autumn Nations Championship fixture.
