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  1. Glasgow out to earn respect once again - Dempseypublished at 16:00 GMT 27 October 2025

    Jack Dempsey playing for Glasgow Warriors against BullsImage source, SNS

    Jack Dempsey says Glasgow Warriors are on a mission to "earn respect" all over again after falling short in their bid to retain the United Rugby Championship title last season.

    Warriors were beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Leinster in Dublin.

    Franco Smith's side have started this season with four wins from five league matches, with Dempsey starring in a hard-earned victory over the Bulls on Friday night.

    "The reality is we haven't won anything since 2024," Dempsey told BBC Scotland.

    "It's not like we're three-peat champions winning every year. We're no longer defending champions, so this year's all about going back and earning respect and getting back on that big stage and big games in both comps."

    Dempsey delivered a man-of-the-match display in his first competitive Warriors appearance in seven months having been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

    "It did feel good to be honest," said the Scotland number eight.

    "I haven't been out that long since I've been in this part of the world. No offence, this place is home for me now, but there's not a whole lot to do around here when you're not playing rugby, I've found, so it's just good to be out there with the boys.

    "It was a shame about last year. One of the good things about winning a competition is having a year of being the defending champions and to miss out on a lot of those big games last year, that's what you kind of don't realise you're missing out on until you're missing out on it.

    "So it's just good to be back in the saddle now and try and get a roll on."

  2. 'Culture not right' at Edinburgh as Glasgow pick up 'fantastic win'published at 17:48 GMT 26 October 2025

    your views graphic

    We asked for your views on Glasgow Warriors' win and Edinburgh's defeat.

    Here's what some of you said:

    Glasgow 21-12 Bulls

    Ethan: Fantastic win for Glasgow as they endured the Bulls and fought hard to take all the points while they left with nothing. It was not pretty at times as there were a few occasions when the Glasgow attack was on the back foot. The scrum needs addressed but the physicality, especially from Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey, was vital. Might be kicking themselves that they didn't get the bonus point here (as well as the Benetton loss) which hopefully doesn't bite them in the future, but an important win to beat who, I would say, is consistently the second best team in the league and end the first part of the season with four or five wins.

    David: Great win by Glasgow. Showed that Glasgow are an 80 minute team. The victory was reminiscent of the trophy winning performance when they appeared to be dead and buried early in the second half but conjured a couple of tries to win. Bodes well for the rest of the competition, with two wins at Scotstoun over South African opposition.

    Paul: Compelling game. The Bulls defended really well and were excellent on the counter. But Glasgow somehow found a way. Really heartening for the future that young players like Gregor Brown and Max Williamson managed to impose their physicality on such a decent South African team.

    Jimmy: George Horne was exposed for his lack of gain-line threat and his defensive frailty. Bulls were filling the pitch and holes round the ruck were there to be exposed. Never square to the gain line the Bulls could simply spread wide in defence knowing he was not an attacking threat. Apart from his support lines he is not up to this level. Jamie Dobie is a different belligerent and attacking threat.

    Neil: Great performance from Glasgow to grind out the win and make it comfortable by the end. Dempsey was immense for his first game in months. Shambles of a refereeing performance from Craig Evans though. Not biased just horrendously inconsistent.

    Stuart: I was there and saw a pretty tough match, lots handling errors from both sides, but the Warriors' "never give up" attitude paid off in the end. Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu and Dempsey were outstanding. Adam Hastings had a very average game, along with George Horne.

    Cardiff 20-19 Edinburgh

    Arran: Exciting young talent showing inexperience and complacency on the road. Many positives from performances like that of Lewis Wells and the solid Charlie Shiel and Matthew Scott duo. However, consistency is key and Edinburgh aren't in line as of yet. There needs to be long term thinking in play, or else these youngsters will take opportunities elsewhere.

    Nigel: Quite a second half, never seen a rugby team do absolutely nothing in 40 minutes after a decent start,. Truly a "game of one half" from an Edinburgh perspective and real concerns over the basic skills and lack of any structure and game management, and even more concerning that it came as no surprise. A real "sacked in the morning" show from a strong squad and capable coaching team.

    Gordon: What can I say, typical Edinburgh. Start the game with a roar, end it with a whimper. That big lad on the wing looked useful, but they never got him the ball. There's none of the intricate backs moves you see at Glasgow, they seem to rely on dominant carries from forwards and if that doesn't work, they have nothing. Another season of under achievement for this team beckons I'm afraid.

    Andrew: No change with Edinburgh then. In the second half they didn't fire a shot, no energy, no structure, no idea. Cardiff looked like they had adapted after the first half whereas Edinburgh went into their shells, made error after error gifting yet another game to a team they should be getting a result over. One win out of four says it all.

    Brodie: Edinburgh lacked maturity. For all the individual brilliance early on, they couldn't work collectively as a team to put Cardiff away. The farce at the end when Ross Thompson overstepped the mark twice, annoyed the referee and incensed the Cardiff crowd, was just one of many immature moments from Edinburgh on the night. The culture is still not right.

    Andy: The worst second half performance I've seen in professional rugby. No fight, no tactics, no inspiration, no strength, no leadership and no clue. Other than the front row that started, the remaining players should hang their heads in embarrassment at losing to a Cardiff team who were themselves poor and offered nothing more than enthusiasm. How the coach can keep his job after overseeing that is beyond me.

  3. Cardiff 20-19 Edinburgh: Have your saypublished at 21:43 BST 25 October 2025

    Have your say

    Edinburgh suffered a late defeat away to Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship as a late penalty handed Sean Everitt's side a 20-19 defeat.

    Share your views on the performance.

  4. Glasgow 21-12 Bulls: Three things we learnedpublished at 12:32 BST 25 October 2025

    Andy Burke
    BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

    Jack DempseyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Jack Dempsey returned for Glasgow Warriors on Friday

    Dempsey back with a bang

    How good for Glasgow Warriors fans, and indeed Scotland fans, to see Jack Dempsey back fit and firing after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

    Despite seven months out with a hamstring injury, the number eight looked like he had barely missed a beat as he delivered a man-of-the-match display against the Bulls that featured plenty of his trademark powerful ball carrying.

    That will be an important weapon for Scotland this autumn, not least in that standout match against the All Blacks.

    Sione shows his class

    Sione Tuipulotu will have better games this season, but that is more to do with his exceptionally high ceiling than any shortcomings on display against the Bulls.

    The British and Irish Lions centre was at the heart of everything Glasgow were doing in attack, filling the second playmaker role as he does to such great effect while also providing crucial go forward against a mean Bulls defence.

    The Scotland captain looks to be coming to the boil nicely before the autumn internationals, and having not played for his country since the victory over Australia last November, you can bet he will be chomping at the bit to run out in blue again at Murrayfield.

    Cummings comes to the fore

    When Scott Cummings burst through the Bulls defence in the first few minutes of the match, a break that ultimately led to Tuipulotu's opening try, it seemed he had set the Warriors on course for a big win.

    The Bulls ensured it was far from comfortable, but Cummings' performance in carrying the fight to the physical South Africans was excellent.

    The big lock recovered from a ropey first performance in Lions red to enjoy a positive tour in the summer, despite not managing to force his way into the Test reckoning.

    His loss to injury in the last Six Nations was felt possibly just as much by Scotland as Tuipulotu's, and his second-row partnership with Max Williamson looks ready made for the Test arena this November.

  5. Glasgow 21-12 Bulls: Have your saypublished at 22:21 BST 24 October 2025

    Have your say

    Glasgow Warriors moved top of the United Rugby Championship table before the rest of the weekend fixtures with a gritty victory over Bulls at Scotstoun.

    Read the match report

    Have your say

  6. Glasgow 21-12 Bulls: What Smith saidpublished at 22:17 BST 24 October 2025

    Franco Smith smiles Image source, SNS

    Glasgow head coach Franco Smith tells BBC Scotland: "This tournament is tough and hard. Bulls were on it tonight, they were physical and well organised.

    "The try that was chalked off was a big moment, but I believe we would have continued with the plan until the end.

    "As the squad get more experienced, they don't get flustered so easily.

    "That's what Scotstoun does - it's good to reward them with a win.

    "We've been growing and building confidence, making the players ready from a technical and physical perspective."

  7. Van der Merwe & Graham both out injured for Edinburgh trip to Cardiffpublished at 13:41 BST 24 October 2025

    Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham high fiveImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham both picked up injuries in Edinburgh's win over Benetton last week

    Scotland wings Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham will both miss Edinburgh's URC trip to Cardiff on Saturday with injuries sustained in last week's victory against Benetton.

    Van der Merwe went off with a bruised heel after scoring the opening try against the Italian side, while Graham played on and scored twice after hurting his knee.

    Edinburgh say both players are expected to recover for Scotland's autumn internationals and are replaced for Saturday's match by Ross McCann and Lewis Wells.

    Marshall Sykes is the other change to the Edinburgh side - he returns from injury to partner Grant Gilchrist in the second row.

    Matt Davidson could make his Edinburgh debut off the bench, while Callum Hunter-Hill could make his first appearance of the season having returned to Edinburgh in the summer.

    "It's always a test going away in the URC, and Saturday will be no different against a side that have started the season well," Everitt said.

    "They're unbeaten at home, and kick really well, so we'll need to be at our best to get the result we want to finish this first block on a high."

    Edinburgh XV to face Cardiff: Goosen, McCann, O'Conor, Lang, Wells, Scott, Shiel; Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Gilchrist, McConnell, Richardson, Bradbury.

    Replacements: Harrison, Venter, Hill, Hunter-Hill, Crosbie, Vellacott, Thompson, Davidson.

  8. 'Fay has much to prove in powerful new role'published at 18:50 BST 23 October 2025

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    Behind the mic
    Gemma FayImage source, SNS

    In announcing Gemma Fay as their first managing director of women's rugby, the press release from Scottish Rugby catalogued Fay's achievements, as they saw it, in her previous roles at Murrayfield.

    Fay, it would appear, is responsible for everything good that has happened in the women's game since her switch from football in 2018 and none of the bad. The not so good is airbrushed.

    The statement says: "Since the establishment of the women's and girls' strategy, registered female player numbers have risen from 6,173 to over 9,800, reflecting unprecedented participation growth."

    That's an achievement, for sure, but many, many people have played a part in it. It's also growth that needs to be built on.

    The SRU's recent plan for the development of the game in Scotland looks decent in theory, if very light on financial detail. It's Fay's job now to execute that plan. It's a critical job.

    More than one current player has privately expressed not shock at the appointment, because they suspected it was coming, but something approaching dismay.

    Fay, in her previous role as head of women's and girl's strategy, was, to put it diplomatically, a contentious figure for many of the current squad and those who have recently retired.

    Whether those are personal gripes or professional criticisms is debatable, but Fay is a controversial character.

    After what they call an "extensive recruitment" process, Scottish Rugby have given the managing director's job to the person down the corridor. Initial reaction from some players is not wholly enthusiastic about the appointment.

    Fay will be responsible for the expansion and professionalism of the women's game, from grassroots to elite programmes.

    The former Scotland goalkeeper is charged with strategic development, commercialisation and financial budget management.

    She also joins the SRU's senior leadership team. It's quite a list of responsibilities. Alex Williamson, chief executive, and David Nucifora, performance director, clearly think a lot of Fay.

    They credit her with being instrumental in "transforming the landscape" in women's and girl's rugby across the community game and into high-performance rugby.

    Some within the sport would argue things have advanced but that nothing has been transformed. The vast majority of Scotland internationals play in England because the 'landscape' in Scotland is still a mile away from professional level.

    Scottish Rugby mention full-time contracts were given out on Fay's watch while making no reference to the huge controversy of so many international players finding out those contracts were not being renewed just prior to the World Cup.

    Record attendances were mentioned in the statement announcing Fay's elevation with no reference to the part the players and Bryan Easson, the departed coach, played in that.

    The establishment of the Celtic Challenge was also put down as a positive, which it would be, if Glasgow and Edinburgh weren't performing so dismally in it.

    Nucifora is not the type of character to suffer fools so in getting his support Fay must have impressed. That won't have been easy - nor will the myriad things she must now do to drive the game forward.

    Following the redistribution of professional contracts - with some established players retiring or losing deals - there are real concerns about the number of Test-quality players Scotland will have in the Six Nations next year.

    That's now Fay's responsibility. She's running the show. Her rise is not unexpected, but she has much to prove.

  9. Glasgow's Dempsey returns from nine-month absence to face Bullspublished at 15:31 BST 23 October 2025

    Glasgow Warriors' Jack DempseyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Jack Dempsey makes a belated start to his season after a late withdrawal last month

    Scotland number eight Jack Dempsey will make his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since January after being named in the starting XV to take on the Bulls at Scotstoun on Friday.

    The fit-again 31-year-old was a late withdrawal before the club's opening-round URC victory over the Sharks last month.

    Scotland prop Jamie Bhatti also returns to the starting line-up against last season's runners-up after missing the past two matches.

    Head coach Franco Smith makes five changes from the 42-17 win away to Ospreys.

    Scott Cummings comes into the second row, while Dempsey's inclusion means Matt Fagerson shifts to the openside flank, with Gregor Brown on blindside.

    Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie rotate to the bench after starting last time out.

    Behind the scrum, George Horne replaces Jamie Dobie at scrum-half, with Josh McKay returning to the line-up at full-back in place of Ollie Smith.

    Dobie, Smith and prop Patrick Schickerling drop out of the squad this week.

    Seb Stephen will make his first appearance at Scotstoun should the hooker come off the bench, the Scotland Under-20 standout having impressed during his brief cameo in Bridgend last Saturday.

    That victory took Warriors up to third in the table, three places above Bulls, and coach Smith told his club website: "The players are now starting to find their way and hitting their straps.

    "It's the start of the season, so it takes a while for all the engines to start up."

    Next up is a repeat of the 2024 URC grand final.

    "We know we must be at our best as we look to finish the first block of fixtures on a high," Smith added.

    "The Bulls possess one of the strongest and deepest squads in the URC and are consistent in the quality of performances they produce."

    Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (capt), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey.

    Replacements: Seb Stephen, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Euan Ferrie, Ben Afshar, Dan Lancaster.

  10. 'Enormous call' and where does Jordan fit in for Scotland?published at 11:18 BST 23 October 2025

    Rugby Q&A graphic

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

    Thomas asked: What does Jamie Dobie have to do to become a mainstay in the Scottish 23 for the foreseeable future? Feels well overdue. Also, have the Kyles (Steyn and Rowe) done enough to take over from Duhan van der Merwe?

    Tom answered: The competition is pretty savage, which is only a good thing for Scotland. Ben White won't play in the first game of the autumn, but I'm talking bigger picture stuff here.

    White is still first choice for me. The guy had a really good Lions tour and is a very fine player, possibly underappreciated by some fans.

    Then you have George Horne and Dobie competing for a bench spot. Horne is a sensational impact operator but Dobie is absolutely flying. They're very different.

    I'd start Dobie against the USA and bring on Horne at half-time and make up my mind after that about who makes it for the All Blacks.

    As for the Kyles taking over Duhan, that's another enormous call. Steyn and Rowe are much better footballers but do you leave out a freakish finisher like Van der Merwe?

    I don't think you'd have him on the bench given he only covers one position, so it's all or nothing with him.

    Right now, I'd probably just about go with Van der Merwe to start while telling him he needs to up his game in a fairly major way.

    Ronald asked: How does Gregor Townsend get Tom Jordan into the team for the autumn internationals? He's too good a player to leave out.

    Tom answered: He's played 10 and 15 for Bristol this season and he's obviously very adept at 12 as well, so he's a fantastic asset to have.

    Where does he fit in during the autumn? Forget the first game because he can't play in it. So, it's the All Blacks I'm thinking about. Sione Tuipulotu is going to be at 12. You could argue the case he could move to 13 with Jordan coming in at 12, but I can't see that happening.

    So Tuipulotu needs a 13 and I'd imagine Townsend will go with cohesion and pick Tuipulotu's Glasgow team-mate Stafford McDowall at 12. Lot of bulk there - and it will be needed.

    So, Jordan, for me, is on the bench, covering 15, 12 and 10. The other possibility, and it's not without merit, is Jordan starts at 15.

    Why? Because Blair Kinghorn must have had a miniscule break between finishing with the Lions and starting up with Toulouse.

    He was back in training in the blink of an eye. I'd worry a little bit about his freshness. Look, it's unlikely, but it wouldn't be a shock to me if he was used off the bench against the All Blacks.

    Peter asked: If Zander Fagerson isn't fit for the Autumn Nations series, who should get the number three jersey?

    Tom answered: The word is Fagerson will be fit for the New Zealand game, but if he's not then… Fin Richardson has been left out of the autumn squad and I don't really get it.

    I wasn't able to get to Gregor Townsend's presser on Tuesday, so I couldn't ask him for an explanation, but it's an odd omission. Richardson has started all three of Glasgow's URC games so far.

    Will Hurd couldn't play in the first of the autumn games but I'm surprised he's out as well. Maybe they'll draft him in later. In a doomsday scenario with no Fagerson, I'd go with D'Arcy Rae and Elliot Millar-Mills, but those omissions are puzzling, particularly Richardson's.

  11. World Cup seeding & Townsend talk - your questions answeredpublished at 17:17 BST 22 October 2025

    Rugby Q&A graphic

    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.

  12. 'Redpath, Hiddleston & Matthews missing but strong squad'published at 13:03 BST 22 October 2025

    Your views graphic

    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.

  13. Listen to BBC Scotland Rugby podcastpublished at 13:02 BST 22 October 2025

    Radio Scotland rugby pod graphic

    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.

  14. Townsend running out of chances to blood youth before World Cuppublished at 08:37 BST 22 October 2025

    Andrew Petrie
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Gregor TownsendImage source, SNS

    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."

  15. Townsend on new faces, returning players & Red Bull backlashpublished at 13:35 BST 21 October 2025

    Andrew Petrie
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Gregor TownsendImage source, SNS

    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.

  16. Bradbury & uncapped trio summoned - share your views on Scotland squadpublished at 11:25 BST 21 October 2025

    Have your say
    Magnus BradburyImage source, SNS

    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.

  17. Send in your Scottish rugby questionspublished at 18:00 BST 20 October 2025

    Have your say

    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.