What the Reports Say
- According to The Independent, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named an experimental starting XV for their upcoming Test against the USA at Murrayfield. As part of that, Liam McConnell will earn his first full cap for Scotland. (The Independent)
- With many regulars unavailable (due to commitments in England and France), Townsend has mixed senior players with emerging talent. (The Independent)
- Stafford McDowall will captain this rotated squad, with Jamie Dobie and Scott Cummings as vice-captains. (The Independent)
- The match is scheduled for Saturday, 1 November, kickoff at 5:40 pm BST. (The Independent)
The Squad & Key Selections
Here’s the announced Scotland starting XV for the USA game:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rory Sutherland |
| 2 | Patrick Harrison |
| 3 | D’Arcy Rae |
| 4 | Scott Cummings |
| 5 | Marshall Sykes |
| 6 | Liam McConnell |
| 7 | Dylan Richardson |
| 8 | Jack Dempsey |
| 9 | Jamie Dobie |
| 10 | Adam Hastings |
| 11 | Duhan van der Merwe |
| 12 | Stafford McDowall (captain) |
| 13 | Ollie Smith |
| 14 | Darcy Graham |
| 15 | Kyle Rowe |
Replacements include:
Harri Morris, Nathan McBeth, Murphy Walker, Alex Samuel, Max Williamson, Magnus Bradbury, George Horne, and Ross Thompson (The Independent)
Some observations:
- Duhan van der Merwe will reach his 50th cap in this match. (The Independent)
- Edinburgh front‑rowers Patrick Harrison (hooker) and D’Arcy Rae (prop) will pick up early caps (fourth and third caps respectively). (The Independent)
- Harri Morris is in line for a first cap off the bench. (The Independent)
- Magnus Bradbury, former Edinburgh captain, returns in the matchday squad (on the bench) — his first Scotland involvement since 2022. (The Independent)
Player Spotlight: Liam McConnell & Stafford McDowall
Liam McConnell
- McConnell is a 21-year-old blindside flanker from Edinburgh. (The Independent)
- He joined Edinburgh’s pro academy ahead of the 2023/24 season and earned his first senior deal in 2024/25. (Edinburgh Rugby)
- Before this call-up, he had started 4 of Edinburgh’s first 5 matches in the United Rugby Championship this season. (rugbypass.com)
- In interviews, McConnell admitted the call-up was unexpected:
“I guess when you’re playing you maybe always hope … I wasn’t waiting on it, but when it came it was definitely a surprise.” (rugbypass.com)
- He also noted the depth in Scotland’s back-row, saying that for now his goal is to absorb experience and “put my best foot forward.” (rugbypass.com)
This selection shows that the coaching staff are willing to fast-track promising young forwards into international exposure.
Stafford McDowall
- McDowall is a seasoned centre with 14 caps for Scotland as of mid-2025. (Wikipedia)
- He plays his club rugby with the Glasgow Warriors and is known for his strong defense and physicality in midfield. (Wikipedia)
- Here, he’ll lead a side with many new faces, acting as stabilizer and leader.
- His captaincy in this match continues a trend of using McDowall in leadership roles in more experimental or developmental squads.
His role is vital — to mentor younger players, provide composure on the pitch, and bridge across units with more seasoned voices.
Strategic & Contextual Analysis
Why this lineup?
- Many first-choice Scots are unavailable due to club commitments in England/France. (The Independent)
- This gives Townsend an opportunity to blood new talent while maintaining a balance with experienced heads like Van der Merwe, Dempsey, Cummings, and Graham. (The Independent)
- Such matches (vs. non‑Tier 1 opponents like the USA) often become testing grounds for squad depth, combinations, and future prospects ahead of tougher Tests.
Risks & Opportunities
| Opportunity | Risk |
|---|---|
| Young players (McConnell, Morris, McBeth, etc.) get real test experience. | Inconsistency or lack of cohesion, given the “heavily rotated” squad. |
| Experienced players can lead by example and guide learning. | If the team underperforms, questions around depth and readiness could arise. |
| Momentum and confidence boost for debutants. | Too much change—loss of continuity with core players—could affect flow. |
What to Watch
- How McConnell performs under Test intensity: breakdowns, tackles, work rate will be scrutinized.
- Leadership from McDowall and vice-captains (Dobie, Cummings) in guiding this mixed side.
- Transitions between forwards and backs—with so many new faces, cohesion on attack and defense will be tested.
- Van der Merwe’s 50th cap: a milestone for a player deeply respected in Scottish rugby.
- Bench impact: with names like Morris (first cap) and Bradbury returning, their contributions may be crucial.
- Here are the case‑studies and comments around the selection of Liam McConnell for his Scotland debut and the leadership role of Stafford McDowall in a heavily‑rotated squad preparing to face the USA Eagles.
Case Study 1: Liam McConnell’s Rise and Debut Opportunity
Background & Selection
- McConnell, a back‑row flanker from Edinburgh Rugby, is 21 years old and has been making strong progress at club level. (The Scotsman)
- He captained Scotland’s U20s and led the team to the World Rugby U20 Trophy victory in 2024. (admin.ultimaterugby.com)
- On 21 October 2025, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend named a 45‑man squad for the upcoming Autumn/Nations Series that included McConnell as an uncapped forward. (rugby365.com)
- McConnell himself admitted he was surprised by the call‑up: “I guess when you’re playing you maybe always hope … I wasn’t waiting on it, but when it came it was definitely a surprise.” (STV News)
Significance & Implications
- The inclusion of McConnell signals Scotland’s intent to blood young talent in a match window that offers opportunity (versus USA, New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga).
- This gives McConnell a chance to make his full senior debut — a major milestone in his pathway.
- The move also reflects the squad being “heavily rotated”, giving experience to new players while resting or omitting more established names.
Key Considerations
- With high competition in the back‑row for Scotland, McConnell’s selection shows confidence in his potential and club performances.
- There is a risk that youth and inexperience might show, especially against physical opposition—but this is balanced by the low‑risk nature of the USA fixture compared to top‑tier Tests.
- If he performs well, this could accelerate his integration into the senior team; if not, it provides a useful learning experience.
Comment
As one Scotland rugby commentator put it:
“McConnell has been a real highlight for Edinburgh so far. … I’d expect to see those guys getting a run out, probably from the bench, against USA and/or Tonga.” (Reddit)
It emphasises the role of this selection as part of a development plan rather than purely a win‑or‑bust scenario.
Case Study 2: Stafford McDowall’s Leadership in a Rotated Side
Background & Role
- Stafford McDowall is an experienced Scotland centre, with senior caps and club experience for Glasgow Warriors. (Scottish Rugby)
- Though I did not locate a source that explicitly names him as captain for the upcoming USA match, previous selections have had him as captain in squads with significant changes. For example, he captained Scotland in November 2024 against Portugal. (Reuters)
- His leadership role in these “rotated” fixtures builds trust and provides stability to squads with many less‑experienced players.
Significance & Implications
- McDowall’s presence as captain or senior leader in this kind of squad is vital. He offers experience, composure, and a link between the emerging players and Scotland’s established culture.
- In a match against the USA — a Tier 2 side but still dangerous — Scotland will want to ensure professionalism, discipline and execution. McDowall helps set that tone.
- The heavy rotation of personnel gives McDowall a chance to shape the way younger players settle into test‑level demands.
Key Considerations
- The challenge for McDowall is to manage a side with possibly new combinations, less shared international experience, and still deliver a strong performance.
- If Scotland dominate, the selection looks clever; if they struggle, questions around depth and cohesion might arise.
Comment
This selection echoes what was noted after McDowall’s prior captaincy outing:
“McDowall’s second match as captain followed a run‑away 73‑12 win over Canada… Scotland will aim to bounce back… with wholesale changes.” (Reuters)
It highlights that leadership in this context often comes with expectation of dominance but also responsibility.
Overall Strategic Commentary
- Why these selections now? Scotland are facing what appears to be a transitional autumn window: experimenting, building depth, and preparing for tougher tests ahead. The USA match offers the ideal platform to give new players like McConnell a debut, and to deploy experienced leaders like McDowall to guide them.
- What’s at stake? While a win is expected, performance matters—mistakes could cost momentum, injure confidence or raise questions about squad readiness. For the players selected, it’s a chance to stake a claim for future inclusion.
- What to watch?
- McConnell’s impact: work rate, tackling, ruck involvement, how he handles Test intensity.
- McDowall’s leadership: game management, communication, how the team responds under pressure.
- The blend of youth and experience: how well combinations perform, penetration and defense hold up, set pieces, execution.
- Long‑term implications: If successful, McConnell may become a fixture in the back‑row for Scotland, and McDowall’s leadership credentials strengthened for future captaincy or senior roles. If not, it serves as a valuable learning curve.