Townsend challenges Scotland to step up for next year’s World Cup

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The Scots have enjoyed an encouraging 2026 so far, and — less than a year before the start of the global showpiece in Australia — the head coach is eager for them to build further momentum.

Townsend’s side are currently second in the northern hemisphere table as they prepare to host New Zealand, Australia and Japan next month.

“I think there’s momentum from last season, which we normally wouldn’t get, because it normally would have been a November Test series and we start again,” said Townsend, reflecting on the dynamic shift of playing Nations Championship matches in the autumn.

“We’re in a competition where we’re in a decent place right now, so we’ve got that motivation of not just taking the game in isolation, but where we can finish up as high as possible and be involved against a leading side in that final weekend.

“And then 12 months from now, the [World Cup] pool stages will be finished. I think the last 16 is getting played right now (in 2027), so that’s our goal, to be playing knockout rugby in 12 months’ time, and between now and then, play our best rugby.

“That will put us in a really good position to have a good World Cup, but also put us in a position to do something special before then.”

Townsend has selected a largely familiar 37-man squad, with Newcastle back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow the only new face, as the head coach aims to maintain continuity leading into the World Cup.

“We want to finish as high up as possible and win the northern hemisphere table, or at least finish top two, top three, so we’re going to play a real big gun from the southern hemisphere [in the final weekend],” said Townsend.

“We got huge learning from that game out in South Africa [a 42-28 defeat in July]. We’re going to get huge learning playing New Zealand in a couple of weeks’ time, so we want to be playing those teams more regularly. That’s a motivation.”

Macclesfield-born Leatherbarrow, who qualifies through his grandmother from Perth, has been selected ahead of Edinburgh back-rower Magnus Bradbury.

Townsend explained he is eager to look at the Newcastle forward as he looks to bolster his options ahead of the Six Nations, when Jack Dempsey, who recently moved to Japan, will not be available.

“Hopefully Ollie will get opportunities in the next few weeks, because he’s playing really well,” said Townsend, who also revealed that New Zealand-born Glasgow full-back Josh McKay could be called up when he becomes eligible midway through the November camp.

“Ollie can cover all three positions in the back row, he’s a very good ball-carrier.

“He’s an openside by trade, but he’s played a lot at six and eight.

“We feel his form at the end of last season, and especially at the beginning of this season, gives us an opportunity to look at someone else. He’ll be challenging for a place now and in the Six Nations, like Magnus will be as well.”