McDowall, who has previously captained Glasgow Warriors and co-captained Scotland against Canada, will take on the role of captain for his country for the first time.
In the forwards, complete change: Patrick Harrison and Will Hurd start on the front line alongside Jamie Bhatti. Harrison and Hurd rely on their two capes acquired during the summer tour. In the second row, Alex Samuel could make his debut for the national team, after his first steps with the Glasgow Warriors in 2022, alongside Alex Craig of the Scarlets.
The third row will see Josh Bayliss, who shone in the last match against South Africa, accompanied by vice-captain Luke Crosbie and Ben Muncaster, a debutant who previously played for Scotland A on the tour of summer 2022 against Chile.
At center, Rory Hutchinson will start alongside captain McDowall. He returns to the selection after an absence since the 2022 summer tour in Argentina, building on his performances with the Northampton Saints.
On the wings, Darcy Graham makes his return after a concussion suffered during his quadruple try against Fiji earlier this month. Aaron Reed, meanwhile, is aligned on the other wing after his notable debut during the summer tour, where he scored two tries against Canada. Finally, Tom Jordan, impressive, retains his place at the back.
The hinge is made up of Adam Hastings and George Horne, two Glasgow Warriors players, with Horne also named vice-captain.
The bench holds interesting perspectives. Johnny Matthews has been recalled after scoring a try against Romania at Rugby World Cup 2023. Ewan Johnson, the Oyonnax second row who made his debut this summer, is called up to cover the second row.
Freddy Douglas, 19, could make history by becoming the youngest player to start for Scotland since Donald White in 1963. The powerful fullback, who shone at the U20 Six Nations and the U20 Trophy, has joins the Scottish Rugby Academy in 2023 and has already distinguished himself with Edinburgh A and Scotland U20.
Returning from injury, Kyle Rowe joins Jamie Dobie and Matt Currie on the bench. Currie, meanwhile, is set to make his first appearance for Scotland at Murrayfield.
The Scottish team (against Portugal):
1. Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors (34)
2. Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
3. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (2)
4. Alex Craig – Scarlets (4)
5. Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (débutant)
6. Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (11) vice-capitaine
7. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (débutant)
8. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (8)
9. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (32) Vice-capitaine
10. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (31)
11. Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (2)
12. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (7) Capitaine
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (7)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (40)
15. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (2)
Substitutes:
16. Johnny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors (1)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (35)
18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (6)
19. Ewan Johnson – Oyonnax (3)
20. Freddy Douglas – Edinburgh Rugby (débutant)
21. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (8)
22. Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
23. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (8)
