Scotland: Newcastle's Ollie Leatherbarrow given first call-up

Uncapped Newcastle Red Bulls back row Ollie Leatherbarrow has been called up by Scotland for the first time for the three home Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

But in-form Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas are surprising omissions from the 37-strong squad.

Macclesfield-born Leatherbarrow qualifies for Scotland because of his grandmother being from Perth and has already represented Scotland at under-16 and under-20 levels.

The 24-year-old began his career at Exeter Chiefs before moving to Newcastle in 2023. Senior trio Jamie Ritchie, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe have all been included after returning recently from injuries.

"This has been my goal for a long time," said Leatherbarrow. "When you feel like you are playing well for your club, your obviously looking to get that national call-up.

"It's just about showing what I can do. My strength is probably ball-carrying, so that lends itself to number eight a bit more, but I'm probably more the size of a seven.

"I've played all three back row positions for Newcastle and I'm happy to play wherever really."

Head coach Gregor Townsend acknowledged Bradbury's strong start to the season but said he was "looking for more" from the 31-year-old.

"We know Magnus is hugely motivated for Scotland," he explained. "We know the qualities he brings. We're also aware that Jack Dempsey [now based in Japan] is not going to be available in the Six Nations, so it's an opportunity for us to look at someone else in our environment.

"We know Ollie can cover all three positions in the back row. He's an openside by trade, but he's played a lot of rugby at six and eight. He'll be challenging for a place now and in the Six Nations, like Magnus will be as well."

Glasgow Warriors' Seb Stephen, who made his debut in July's Nations Championship match against Fiji, is one of three hookers selected.

Experienced Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist is not included after returning from injury, while club-mate Hector Patterson had been touted for potential involvement after a bright start to the season, but the scrum-half has not made the cut.

Townsend said no decision has been made yet on New Zealand-born Josh McKay, the 29-year-old Glasgow full-back who will be eligible in time for the final Test against Japan.

Scotland host the All Blacks on 7 November, the Wallabies on 15 November and the Brave Blossoms on 21 November at Murrayfield before the new Nations Championship concludes the following weekend at Twickenham, based around final hemisphere positions.

The finals are on the weekend of 28-29 November, with fixtures determined by the placings of northern and southern hemisphere countries across these games and the ones played in July.

Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, Rory Darge (all Glasgow Warriors), Jack Dempsey (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson (both Glasgow Warriors), Jonny Gray (Perpignan), Gregor Hiddleston (Glasgow Warriors), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Leatherbarrow (Newcastle Red Bulls), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Newcastle Red Bulls), Jamie Ritchie (Glasgow Warriors), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland, Seb Stephen, Max Williamson (all Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), Huw Jones (Toulon), Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe (both Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Bath), Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, capt (all Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).