11 hours ago
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Uncapped forwards Alexander Masibaka, Liam McConnell and Harri Morris have been named in Scotland's autumn internationals squad.
Edinburgh hooker Harri Morris and club-mate Liam McConnell, who can feature in the back row, could play in the matches against the United States (1 November), New Zealand (8 November), Argentina (16 Novemeber) and Tonga (23 November).
Australia-born number eight Masibaka, of Montpellier, qualifies for Scotland through his mother and featured in a non-cap international against Maori All Blacks in July.
British and Irish Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain the Gregor Townsend's side for this series while Edinburgh skipper Magnus Bradbury returns to the squad.
"Magnus has played really well now for a number of months," Townsend told Scottish Rugby of Bradbury, who was last capped in 2022.
"He's grown into a leader over the last few years. He's going to get an opportunity now and it's great to have him back.
"A lot of players are coming to their prime years. Over the last couple of years, players outside the squad have had that chance to get into the group but it's very competitive now. In certain positions, there's quality all the way through and some very good players have missed out on this squad."
"[Alexander Masibaka has] now been involved in the past two campaigns, played really well against Maori All Blacks and has started the season very well for Montpellier. His explosive running, his power and also his work-rate are key attributes that can add to our squad."
The opening Test against USA is scheduled outside the international window so Scotland will only be allowed to select players from Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors for that match.
"Liam McConnell [has] had a real breakthrough season so far for Edinburgh," Townsend said. "Plays with a lot of pride and passion. It's great that he's going to get an opportunity.
"Harri Morris, every time he's played at any level, he's brought aggression, physicality. We see him having that Test match mentality."
Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Finn Russell (Bath), Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Thompson (Edinburgh), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Alexander Masibaka (Montpellier), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints), Harri Morris (Edinburgh), Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens), D'Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan), Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh), George Turner (Harlequins), Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors), Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors)
