Ollie Leatherbarrow has been called into Scotland's squad for the first time, earning a place in Gregor Townsend's 37-man group for the November Nations Championship games.
The Newcastle Red Bulls flanker qualifies for Scotland through a grandmother born in Perth, and his selection is the latest step in a rise that has built over the last few seasons. For a player who is still uncapped, the call-up marks a significant international breakthrough.
What Scotland's November schedule looks like
Scotland open their Test window on Saturday 7 November, with three Tests lined up across the month against New Zealand, Australia and Japan. The opening fixture against the All Blacks also carries familiar weight, with Scotland again seeking a first win in that match-up.
Leatherbarrow's inclusion adds another back-row option to a squad that is otherwise settled and heavily drawn from Glasgow and Edinburgh's ranks. That balance suggests Scotland are looking for continuity in November, while also giving themselves one more player who has forced his way into the conversation.
At 24, Leatherbarrow now has a chance to turn a first call-up into something more. For Scotland, it is a low-risk selection with a potentially useful reward: another versatile option for a demanding run of three Tests.
