Autumn Nations Series: Scotland make 14 changes for Portugal clash as Alex Samuel and Ben Muncaster handed debuts – Eurosport

Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall is set to captain the team against a Portugal side ranked 15th in the world and clear outsiders on their first trip to Murrayfield.

Winger Darcy Graham is set to make his return after missing the South Africa defeat with a head injury.

Sale wing Arron Reed and front-rowers Patrick Harrison and Will Hurd will all earn their third caps against Portugal, while 19-year-old back Freddy Douglas could be handed his debut from the bench.

Glasgow scrum-half George Horne and Edinburgh back-rower Luke Crosbie will be vice captains as Scotland look to record their second victory of the Autumn Nations Series.

Townsend hinted earlier in the week that he would rotate heavily after a physically testing match against South Africa.

“We know there’ll be a lot of different personnel involved next week,” he said.

“And they’ve got to carry on the performance level that we’ve seen and deliver a result. Put pressure on us as we’re putting a team together for Australia.

“There were a lot of good performances on Sunday night, but there’s a chance for guys to impress us next week against Portugal. And the six-day turnaround is really tough for our players after that performance.”

Townsend was complimentary of his team’s performance despite defeat to the Springboks.

“That was one of our best ever performances and we’ve got to take that,” he added. “That’s the baseline for when Portugal and Australia come and then there are two home games at the start of the Six Nations with Ireland and Italy first up.

“I know we’ve also got to take the learnings from how we could have got more points on the board and won that game.

“But if our players perform like that, with that effort and that physicality, we’re going to have a good season.”

After a fresh Scotland side take on Portugal, attention will turn to their clash with Australia eight days later.