Ollie Leatherbarrow named in Scotland squad for home Nations Championship

Ollie Leatherbarrow has been called into Scotland's squad for the first time on 26 October 2026 for the three home Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield.

The uncapped, 24-year-old back-row forward qualifies for Scotland through a grandmother from Perth and has previously represented the country at under-16 and under-20 levels. Leatherbarrow began his senior career at Exeter Chiefs before joining Newcastle in 2023, and his inclusion comes in a 37-strong squad that notably omits Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has recalled senior players Jamie Ritchie, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe after recent injury absences. Glasgow Warriors' Seb Stephen, who made his debut in July's Nations Championship match against Fiji, is named as one of three hookers in the squad.

Jack Dempsey retains his place despite his summer move to Japan with Toshiba Brave Lupus, and an experienced lock, Gilchrist, has recently returned from injury. Club-mate Hector Patterson had been discussed as a possible selection after a bright start to the season, but the scrum-half was not included in the squad.

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 Falcons), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints), 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).

Scotland will host New Zealand on 7 November, Australia on 15 November and Japan on 21 November at Murrayfield; the new Nations Championship then moves to conclude the following weekend at Twickenham, with finals scheduled for the weekend of 28-29 November and fixtures determined by the placings of northern and southern hemisphere teams across these matches and those played in July.