Neither of the Glasgow Warriors forwards are in the Scotland squad to face USA on Saturday, but Townsend offered an update when he spoke to the media after naming his team.

The Scotland boss also confirmed Sione Tuipulotu is not injured but has been given the weekend off, and praised former U20 captain Liam McConnell who will make his debut at blindside flanker.

Here are five talking points from the team announcement.  

Selection with one eye on the All Blacks 

Townsend confirmed Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is not injured, while Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown and Grant Gilchrist are also among the others who are given the weekend off.  

They will, along with the exiles who are unavailable this weekend, likely come back into the matchday squad for next week’s clash with the All Blacks.  

Sione Tuipulotu has been given the weekend off (Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock;)

“It’s partly a balance of the game time players have had leading up to these games,” Townsend explained.  

“I don’t expect anyone to play or start four Tests in a row, even three Tests in a row, so we have to be aware of that as we’re going into New Zealand and Argentina.  

“On the flip side, if we feel players maybe haven’t had the game time they would normally have coming into a November series, then we can give them that opportunity this weekend.” 

Zander Fagerson on track for New Zealand but Rory Darge a doubt

While he misses out, as expected, this week, Townsend remains hopeful Zander Fagerson will be available for the visit of the All Blacks next weekend.  

Townsend said Fagerson trained with the squad this week and indicated he will step up his recovery next week.  

Zander Fagerson remains on track to face New Zealand (Image: Colorsport / Shutterstock)

However, the news around Rory Darge was less promising, with the flanker still on a modified training programme.  

However, Townsend stressed he remains in contention to face New Zealand.  

“It’s difficult to say because Rory hasn’t been out as long and Rory’s first game of the season was outstanding.  

“He’s not going to have missed as many minutes as someone like Jack [Dempsey] or Zander, but we’ll just have to see. He’ll be targeting to be available and I’ve had a good chat with him about it next week. 

“No decision has been made. That would have to be the case for him to be picked.” 

Liam McConell picked partly on potential 

The former Scotland U20 captain will make his Scotland debut having impressed for Edinburgh so far this season.  

Townsend admitted the selection of the 21-year-old was partly on the merit of those performances, but also with one eye on what he could do in the future.  

Liam McConnell will make his debut (Image: David Gibson/Shutterstock)

“We’ve selected him on what he’s been doing with Edinburgh, but also his potential,” said Townsend.  

“We’ve seen an all-round game from him already this season, his skills in attack, his little short passes, off loads, his ball-carrying ability, his confidence to put his skills or show his skills under pressure.  

Echoing Edinburgh boss Sean Everitt, Townsend said he was “one of the fittest players I know coming through Edinburgh’s pre-season” and said earning his first cap was deserved reward.  

No concern over hookers despite lack of minutes 

Townsend has picked Paddy Harrison to start against the Americans, while his club colleague Harri Morris – who has not featured for Edinburgh this season – could earn a first cap off the bench.  

But Townsend insists their lack of game-time this season is not a worry.  

Paddy Harrison will start for Scotland against USA (Image: James Lawlor/Shutterstock)

“Both those players will be full of motivation and energy that they feel they could have played more minutes.  

“In that position you’re really looking for work rate and energy and they’ll bring that. Paddy has always played really well when he’s had the opportunity to play for Scotland. “He started against Portugal last year. Anytime he’s come off the bench he’s made big impacts. They’re in a competitive situation with Ewan playing so well at Edinburgh. 

“It’s an opportunity this week for Ewan to get a week without playing a game. He’s played a lot of minutes and he’s been really physical in his performances.” 

Praise for Stafford McDowall, who reprises captaincy role  

With Tuipulotu and Huw Jones – when fit – ahead of him in the pecking order, Stafford McDowall would be unlikely to make a full-strength Scotland team, but Townsend has turned to the Glasgow man to lead Scotland once more.  

When asked about McDowall stepping in to lead the side, Townsend said: “I think it’s great that someone can do that. 

Stafford McDowall scored when he led Scotland against Portugal last November (Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)

“He’s such a good team player, whether that’s on the field when he starts, when he’s working hard, the extra that you see him at the end of the training session, or if he’s on the bench, or even if he’s not on the 23, he really is a glue at Glasgow and a glue for us.”