Scotland Squad | Meet the new boys.

Scotland named their squad for the 2026 Nations Championship Home Fixtures when they take on New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Of the 37 players inlcuded in the squad, 5 of them have 5 caps and less. This is their story.

Gregor Hiddleston: hooker, Glasgow Warriors
Scotland caps: 3
Hiddleston is from Dumfries and came through the ranks at Dumfries Saints. He made his Glasgow Warriors debut in January 2024 away to Exeter Chiefs, after standout displays for Stirling Wolves in the Super Series. He had played for Scotland U20 and won Player of the Match in the 2023 Super Series final. He made his senior Scotland debut against Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship and scored a try. He extended his Glasgow contract to at least summer 2028. He was given his first Scotland start against Fiji in July.

Ollie Leatherbarrow: back row, Newcastle Red Bulls
Scotland caps: 0 senior caps found (11 for Scotland U20)
He was born in Macclesfield and qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother from Perth. He was in Sale Sharks’ academy, then studied economics at Exeter University. He captained the university side in BUCS Super Rugby and won 11 Scotland U20 caps. He joined Newcastle in 2023 from Exeter Chiefs and scored his first Premiership try in 2025. 

Liam McConnell: flanker, Edinburgh Rugby
Scotland caps: 2
McConnell is an Edinburgh native who played for Stewart’s Melville Lions and then Boroughmuir. He captained Scotland U20 to the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy title. He is an Edinburgh academy graduate who made his senior Scotland debut against the USA in November 2025. He was named Player of the Match against Toulon and signed a contract extension to June 2028. He won his second cap off the bench against Fiji in July.

Seb Stephen: hooker, Glasgow Warriors
Scotland caps: 1
Stephen Garioch was born in Aberdeen and started at RFC. He then played for Glenalmond College and Aberdeen Grammar. He spent time at the University of Waikato in New Zealand and played for Scotland U20 in 2024. He made his Glasgow debut away to Leinster and played 17 times in his first full season. He signed a first professional contract in 2026, keeping him at Glasgow until at least summer 2028. He came off the bench against Fiji on 18 July to win his first cap, number 1240.

Fergus Burke: fly-half, Saracens
Scotland caps: 5 
Burke was born in Gisborne, New Zealand. He started at Canterbury, then won Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders in 2022 and 2023, and moved to Saracens in 2024. He qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather and debuted against Fiji in July 2025. His Saracens contract runs out at the end of this season, and Scotland want him playing in Scotland. Edinburgh are reportedly keen. He started at fly-half against Fiji in July.