Prop problem facing Scotland ahead of Autumn Nations Series

Zander Fagerson is undoubtedly the first choice for the number three jersey, but the battle to be back-up to the British and Irish Lion is wide open, particularly for the autumn opener. 

Will Hurd and Elliot Millar Mills, who both featured for Scotland on the summer tour, are unavailable for the visit of Fiji to Scottish Gas Murrayfield on November 2 as the match falls outwith World Rugby's international window. 

Will Hurd with his family after earning his first cap against Canada in the summer (Image: Getty Images) Edinburgh's Javan Sebastian has accrued 10 caps since his debut against Japan almost three years ago, but will miss the four-match series with a shoulder injury picked up playing for Edinburgh 'A' against Bath a couple of weeks ago. 

And Glasgow's Murphy Walker, who has been long tipped for the top and has five caps, is also currently sidelined with a neck injury. 

With that quartet unavailable, Edinburgh prop D'Arcy Rae could be in line for an international recall, more than five years after he won his only Scotland cap to date against Ireland in the 2019 Six Nations. 

D'Arcy Rae won his only Scotland cap to date against Ireland in the 2019 Six Nations (Image: SNS) Now 29, Rae enjoyed a fruitful spell at Bath after leaving Glasgow, but has had to be patient for opportunities with Edinburgh.

Rae only managed seven appearances, and a total of 173 minutes, during his debut season with Edinburgh.

He's already played 154 minutes this campaign and made his first start for the capital club last weekend, more than a year after returning north. 

While they are unavailable for the Fiji match, Millar Mills and Hurd are likely to be named in Townsend's squad tomorrow - they'll both be available for the three matches after Fiji - but Rae looks like the front-runner to get a chance to add to his single Test cap when Fiji visit next weekend. 

With Glasgow's back-ups to Fagerson, Sam Talakai and Patrick Schickerling, both unavailable for Scotland, and Edinburgh's first choice Paul Hill also not Scottish qualified, the options beyond Rae are limited and with little or no professional experience.

One player he could look at is Fin Richardson, the Glasgow prop, who spent time with the national team during the final weeks of the summer tour as a 'development' player, but he's yet to make his Warriors debut and it would be a huge step up. 

Glasgow Warriors prop Fin Richardson spent time training with Scotland during the summer (Image: SNS) Murray McCallum could also come into contention having helped Newcastle Falcons earn their first Premiership win in 19 months against Exeter Chiefs at the weekend, though he too would be unavailable for the Fiji match.

Rhys Litterick, the Cardiff prop, also qualifies for Scotland, but again does not solve the problem around the first match of the Autumn Nations Series. 

Townsend's options at loosehead prop are slightly more straightforward, with Pierre Schoeman his go-to man in the number one jersey, while Rory Sutherland and Jamie Bhatti, both vastly experienced at the top level, will also likely make the squad. 

And the back-up options on that side of the scrum also look more encouraging.

Former England prop Alec Hepburn, who made his Scotland debut during the Six Nations but missed the summer tour through injury, has played four times for Scarlets this season. 

Former Glasgow man Oli Kebble has featured in each of Oyonnax's Top14 matches since his summer move from Scotstoun.