Tom English: ‘Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad full of fascinating storylines’

Gregor Townsend may have lost his voice earlier in the week, but he hasn’t lost his touch when putting together an autumn squad with more storylines than Huw Jones has running lines.

A new captain, for a start. One set of brothers in – the Tuipulotus or the Twoipulotus – and another set of brothers out – the Grays, as in fade to…

The elevation of a teenager in Freddy Douglas; the return of a forgotten man in D’Arcy Rae, who hasn’t played for Scotland in six years; the omission of a cult hero in Johnny Matthews and the as yet unannounced, but now certain, international retirement of Richie Gray, who’s off to Japan next month.

There are five uncapped players and in a squad of 45 there are 23 who have 10 caps or fewer, including five of the seven second-rows, two of the three hookers and half the props.

Townsend was in good form on Wednesday, despite his croakiness. He always is before the action begins in earnest. The one time his mood turned a little darker was when he was asked about Jonny Gray’s absence.

Gray, now excelling with Bordeaux after missing 18 months through injury, has made himself unavailable. Has he been leaned on by his club or is this entirely of his volition? Either way, Townsend was “angry and disappointed” that Gray has ruled himself out.

Townsend has always been a major champion of the younger Gray, so this snub will hurt. The consolation for the coach is he’s got other locks coming through. There are seven of them in the squad – despite the absence of the Grays and the injured Sam Skinner and Cameron Henderson – and none of them are makeweights.

Kyle Steyn’s injury is a considerable blow. So is Andy Onyeama-Christie’s cruel luck. Rugby life is brutal, though. It moves on. In the case of Matthews, it’s particularly hard.

Townsend has named four loosheads and four tightheads, but only three hookers. Ewan Ashman is first choice. Patrick Harrison looks like his deputy. Dylan Richardson of the Sharks is the other one.

Harrison is tough and dynamic and has roared into contention in recent weeks. His inclusion is exciting. Richardson, a converted back-row with relatively little game-time at hooker, is involved largely because of his good showings against Canada and Chile on Scotland’s summer tour.

Fans of Matthews must be bamboozled by all of this. Why ignore the guy who started the quarter-final, semi-final and final of Glasgow’s historic URC campaign? Why leave out the competition’s leading try scorer last season? Why not just make it a squad of 46 instead of 45 and pick Matthews?

What’s obvious is the increased level of dog in this group. Max Williamson is a monster, Ben Muncaster has bludgeoned his way into view, Harrison has been blisteringly good and Gregor Brown is one tough boy, too.

Mosese Tuipulotu’s inclusion was expected – and it’s fascinating. Euan Ferrie would probably have featured, too, if he hadn’t picked up an injury. Douglas is a teenager, but he’s a special talent in the making. Belligerent and unyielding.

There’s a red flag waving madly over the tighthead position, where resources are paper thin, but the rest of it looks compelling. So many new faces, so many interesting characters, so much hope before the big days dawn next month.