Freddy Douglas: Scotland name 19-year-old in squad for Portugal

Back row Freddy Douglas could become the youngest debutant for Scotland’s men’s side for more than 60 years after being named as a replacement against Portugal in the third Autumn Test at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 19-year-old represented Scotland’s Under-18 side in the 2023 Six Nations Festival only 18 months ago but looks poised to be the youngest player to feature for the full national side since Donald White in 1963.

The Edinburgh forward has played for Edinburgh A this season and has also represented Scotland in the Under-20 Six Nations and World Rugby Under-20 Trophy in 2024.

He made the most tackles and breakdown steals in the Under-20 Six Nations.

His Edinburgh team-mate Ben Muncaster, who played for Scotland A against Chile on the 2022 summer tour, will definitely make his debut after being named in the back row alongside Bath’s Josh Bayliss and Luke Crosbie of Edinburgh.

Glasgow lock Alex Samuel will also win his first Scotland cap and will be partnered in the second row by Scarlets’ Alex Craig.

Stafford McDowall will captain the side and will be joined in midfield by Northampton Saints’ Rory Hutchinson, who will play for Scotland for the first time since the 2022 summer tour against Argentina.

Darcy Graham returns following his concussion against Fiji earlier this month while Arron Reed will be on the opposite wing after making his debut on the summer tour. Tom Jordan retains his place at full-back.

Johnny Matthews, a late call-up to the squad, is on the bench and is likely to add to his one cap against Romania in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Young Oyannax lock Ewan Johnson is also a replacement while Kyle Rowe returns after missing the South Africa match through injury.

Scotland team to face Portugal

Jordan (Glasgow); Graham (Edinburgh), Hutchinson (Northampton), McDowall (Glasgow) Reed (Sale); Hastings (Glasgow), Horne (Glasgow); Bhatti (Glasgow), Harrison (Edinburgh), Hurd (Leicester); Craig (Scarlets), Samuel (Glasgow); Crosbie (Edinburgh), Muncaster (Edinburgh), Bayliss (Bath).

Replacements: Matthews (Glasgow), Sutherland (Glasgow), Millar Mills (Northampton), Johnson (Oyonnax), Douglas (Edinburgh), Dobie (Glasgow), Currie (Edinburgh), Rowe (Glasgow).