Finn Russell out of Scotland squad for autumn internationals 

Jamie Ritchie will captain the side against the likes of Australia and New Zealand after the Racing 92 fly-half was left out.

Finn Russell out of Scotland squad for autumn internationals as Jamie Ritchie named captain SNS Group

Finn Russell has been dropped from the Scotland squad ahead of the autumn international test series, while an uncapped Glasgow duo have been handed call-ups by Gregor Townsend.

Jamie Ritchie will captain the side in games against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at BT Murrayfield, but Racing 92 fly-half Russell is to miss out.

The 30-year-old was initially unavailable for the match against the Wallabies as it fell outside the international test window, though would have been clear to play in the November trio of matches.

Former Australia back row Jack Dempsey has been called up for the first time after previously making 14 appearances for the nation of his birth.

Rugby Union rules state a player can switch allegiances if they have not been capped for at least three years.

He is joined in the squad by his Glasgow teammate Stafford McDowall, while Exeter Chiefs back Stuart Hogg – previously dropped in the wake of an unauthorised night out to an Edinburgh bar alongside teammates including Russell – is in, but not as captain.

Autumn Nations Series 2022 fixtures in full

Scotland v Australia, Saturday, October 29, kick-off 5.30pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v Fiji, Saturday, November 5, kick-off 1pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v New Zealand, Sunday, November 13, kick-off 2.15pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v Argentina, Saturday, November 19, kick-off 3.15pm, BT Murrayfield

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