Second Scotland international ruled out of Autumn Test matches following Darcy Graham blow
Glasgow Warriors head coach confirms lock not expected to return to action until after Nations Championship conclusion.
Scotland international lock Alex Samuel is set to be out of action for both club and country until after the next round of Test match fixtures in November.
The news was confirmed by Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith ahead of their 2026/27 URC opener away to Munster this weekend. The South African said that the 23-year-old would not return to action until “after the November internationals at least.”
Samuel, who has four Scotland caps to his name, was due to line up against the Springboks earlier this summer but was pulled from that squad with a knee injury. It was later revealed by national team boss Gregor Townsend that the issue would require surgery.
Glasgow Warriors lock Alex Samuel to miss Scotland’s November Test matches along with Edinburgh winger Darcy Graham
He becomes the second international to be ruled out of the autumn leg of the Nations Championship after Edinburgh Rugby announced that winger Darcy Graham was also facing an extended period on the sidelines. Scotland’s all time leading try scorer is set for a 12 week lay-off after rupturing his bicep in the capital club’s pre-season friendly defeat to Harlequins.
The Gunners currently have several Scotland internationals on their injury list including Duhan van der Merwe, Grant Gilchrist and Ewan Ashman. However, all are expected to return to the field in the coming weeks as the new season continues.
Similarly, Glasgow Warriors are without new signing Jamie Ritchie who is not likely to debut for the Scotstoun outfit until next month. Winger Kyle Steyn and prop Zander Fagerson are due to be back in time for Warriors’ Investec Champions Cup opener against Sale Sharks on October 17 while national team captain Sione Tuipulotu should also return in that time frame.
Scotland kick off the next leg of their 2026 Nations Championship campaign on Saturday, November 7 when New Zealand travel to Murrayfield. Gregor Townsend’s side are targeting a first ever win over the mighty All Blacks in that fixture.
They will also face Australia and Japan at home in the following weeks before heading to Twickenham for ‘finals weekend’ in the competition. That is due to take place between August 27 and 29.
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