Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews has been called up to Scotland’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series after three of his club team-mates were sidelined with injury.
Lock Max Williamson has been ruled out with a hand problem, while Jack Dempsey has sustained a shoulder injury, both sustained against the Springboks.
Gregor Brown is also unavailable for selection for the clash with Portugal on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, because of a rib issue.
Matthews, who has played for the Warriors since 2019, has made just one appearance for his national side, which came at last year’s World Cup against Romania in France.
The Liverpool-born player got himself on the scoresheet on his only outing for Gregor Townsend’s side, scoring Scotland’s 10th try in a thumping 84-0 win.
Matthews was a surprise omission for many from Townsend’s original squad considering the 31-year-old has been enjoying a spell of brilliant try-scoring form for the Glasgow outfit.
Alongside Matthews, Scarlets’ loosehead prop Alec Hepburn will also join up with the squad ahead of the Portugal encounter.
Hepburn has featured four times for Scotland since his switch from England and made his debut in February 2024 during an opening-round Six Nations victory against Wales in Cardiff.
Scotland face Portugal in their second Autumn Nations Series match – which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – having lost their opener to South Africa, despite giving a solid account of themselves.
Makazole Mapimpi, Thomas du Toit and Jasper Wiese scored in a four-try win for the Springboks, while Finn Russell added five penalties for the hosts.
Portugal faced the United States on Saturday and were beaten 21-17.
After the Portugal clash at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Townsend’s side will wrap up their autumn fixtures with the visit of Australia on Sunday, November 24.
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