Starting Line Up
15) Kyle Rowe 14) Darcy Graham 13) Ollie Smith 12) Stafford Mcdowall © 11) Duhan Van de 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 16) Harri Morris 17) Nathan Mcbeth 18) Murphy Walker 19) Alex Samuel 20) Max Williamson 21) Magnus Bradbury 22) George Horne 23) Ross Thompson.
Scotland is set to welcome the United States at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, 1 November 2025, in what is anticipated to be an engaging autumn international match as part of the Quilter Nations Series. Scotland approaches this fixture aiming to gain momentum and evaluate their squad depth in preparation for more formidable opponents later in the series, including New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga. Coach Gregor Townsend has put together one of his most formidable squads, combining seasoned players with emerging talent, such as 21-year-old back-rower Liam McConnell, who has received an unexpected call-up. The home team will be eager to assert their dominance in the set-piece, particularly in the scrum and lineout, while leveraging the speed and creativity of their backs, including Duhan van der Merwe, to take advantage of any available space on the field.
The USA Eagles, while regarded as underdogs, will be driven to challenge themselves against a Tier 1 nation on unfamiliar territory. They will need to contest Scotland at the breakdown, uphold discipline, and capitalise on transitional play and counter-attacks to remain competitive. Historically, Scotland has held a strong advantage in their head-to-head record, winning eight of the nine previous meetings, and the Eagles have not played at Murrayfield for many years. Thus, this match presents an opportunity for Scotland to solidify their playing identity and rhythm, while the USA can assess their development and resilience against high-caliber opposition.
Crucial battles are expected to center around forward dominance, tempo, and game management. Scotland must guard against complacency in a match perceived as advantageous, while the USA must withstand pressure and seize any moments of distraction. With squad rotation anticipated to manage player fitness ahead of more challenging tests, emerging Scottish players may either excel or falter under the pressure, making this a test of both depth and skill. Ultimately, Scotland enters the match as clear favorites, benefiting from home advantage, depth, and historical supremacy. If they compete with intensity and discipline, a convincing victory by 20 points is within reach.
