McConnell to make Scotland debut in test against Americans
Uncapped loose forward Liam McConnell has been picked to play for Scotland in Saturday’s test against the United States at Murrayfield in an all-home-based team.
Coach Gregor Townsend also selected uncapped hooker Harri Morris in a matchday 23 that must do without any of Scotland’s players at English and French clubs, who will only be available from next week for the matches against New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga.
The 21-year-old McConnell captained Scotland at under-20 level and prior to this season had made only five senior appearances for Edinburgh - four of them as a substitute.
However, he has impressed in the United Rugby Championship this term. "I was just over the moon to be starting for Edinburgh, even just playing for Edinburgh. This is not how I expected the season to go really," he said of his inclusion in the Scotland squad.
Stafford McDowall will captain the side against the Americans while British & Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe wins a 50th cap. He holds a record of 32 tries for Scotland.
There are four starters from the team that beat Samoa 41-12 in Auckland in July in Scotland's last outing while tighthead D'Arcy Rae makes a first Scotland start, having won two previous caps off the bench.
Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury is in line for a first Scotland outing since 2022 after being included in a six-two forward-back split on the bench.
Introducing your team for our @QuilterNations Series opener against USA 🏴
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 30, 2025
Duhan van der Merwe earns his 50th cap 👏 #AsOne pic.twitter.com/J0X5GM9ola
SCOTLAND TEAM:
15-Kyle Rowe, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Ollie Smith, 12-Stafford McDowall (captain), 11-Duhan van der Merwe, 10-Adam Hastings, 9-Jamie Dobie, 8-Jack Dempsey, 7-Dylan Richardson, 6-Liam McConnell, 5-Marshall Sykes, 4-Scott Cummings, 3-D'Arcy Rae, 2-Patrick Harrison, 1-Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16-Harri Morris, 17-Nathan McBeth, 18-Murphy Walker, 19-Alex Samuel, 20-Max Williamson, 21-Magnus Bradbury, 22-George Horne, 23-Ross Thompson.
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