Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen may never have worn a Scotland jersey in official competition, but they're about to face some of the world's toughest opposition on rugby's grandest stage. Scotland's rugby union team has named its 36-player squad for a three-match summer tour that will test the nation's depth and ambition against Argentina, South Africa, and Fiji.
The inclusion of two uncapped hookers—Hiddleston, 24, and his 20-year-old Glasgow Warriors teammate Stephen—signals coach Gregor Townsend's willingness to blend youth with experience as Scotland prepares for matches that matter. While neither has worn a Scotland cap, both have proven themselves in the development pathway: Hiddleston carries two Scotland A caps and has represented Scotland Under-20s, while Stephen featured for Emerging Scotland last year and also progressed through the U-20 system. They arrive on the back of a Six Nations campaign in which Scotland finished third with three wins from five matches—a foundation of confidence heading into July.
The tour schedule is demanding. Scotland will travel to Cordoba on July 4 to face Argentina's Pumas, then fly to Pretoria on July 11 to take on the world champion Springboks, before returning home to Murrayfield on July 18 for the clash with Fiji. That's elite-level rugby across three continents in three weeks, and Townsend has assembled a squad built to handle the intensity.
The squad balances ambition with pragmatism. Experienced players like Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu, who continues as captain, anchor the group. Back-rower Jack Dempsey earns selection despite his imminent move to Japan, a recognition of his value over these crucial matches. Several key players have been rested: Blair Kinghorn and Grant Gilchrist are left out of the squad, while injuries will keep Huw Jones, Jamie Ritchie, and George Turner sidelined.
Townsend has also made space for players with fresh momentum. Liam McConnell, D'arcy Rae, and Duhan van der Merwe will join the squad after featuring in Barbarians matches against South Africa and Wales later this month—a chance to earn their place in the tour fold through performance.
The 36-player group is split between 22 forwards and 14 backs, with Glasgow Warriors providing notable depth. Beyond Hiddleston and Stephen, the Warriors contingent includes centre Tuipulotu and several other key performers, reflecting the strength of the Scottish game at club level.
For Hiddleston and Stephen, this is the opportunity that every young rugby player dreams of: to prove themselves against the best in the world while representing their country. The hooker position is traditionally a leadership role on the field, and Townsend's faith in both players suggests he sees something special in their potential. Whether they take the field or simply absorb the experience from the bench, the summer tour offers a pathway that could define their careers.
Scotland's third-place finish in the Six Nations has set expectations high. Now comes the real test—traveling to the southern hemisphere and staying competitive against sides that rank among the toughest in the world. The squad is built for it.