Stafford McDowall admitted to mixed emotions at finding out he would not be involved for Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series finale on Sunday, before that blow was cushioned by the news he would lead the ‘A’ side against Chile.  

McDowall was on the bench for the win over Fiji and the defeat to South Africa, before captaining the test team for the first time as Scotland brushed aside Portugal last weekend.  

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Less than 48 hours after that match, the Glasgow Warriors centre received a call from ‘A’ team coach Pete Horne who delivered the news he would not be in the squad to face Australia.  

Stafford McDowall played in each of the first three Autumn Nations Series matchesStafford McDowall played in each of the first three Autumn Nations Series matches (Image: SNS)

“We're all competitive sportsmen and we all want to be playing at the highest level so initially there probably was a bit of disappointment because the phone call started with 'you won't be involved against Australia' but then I think the chance to lead a Scotland team against a Chile team that we know are tough we played in the summer, it's a really good test. 

“It's going to be a big occasion for some of the boys out there.” 

McDowall is among the most unlucky to miss out on Gregor Townsend’s squad to face the Wallabies, while his Glasgow colleagues Jamie Bhatti and Jamie Dobie also put in good displays against Portugal.  

But they have bounced back well having experienced the same disappointment as their captain.  

"They're both amazing guys,” McDowall said.  

Jamie Bhatti is the most experienced player in the Scotland 'A' sideJamie Bhatti is the most experienced player in the Scotland 'A' side (Image: SNS)

“They both came in with their heads up on Monday and they're ready to rock into training. The guys who played [against Portugal] on Saturday turned up and we had a really good session together on Monday." 

And playing for Pete Horne – someone McDowall looked up to during their time together at Scotstoun – was another factor in the centre’s excitement at leading the ‘A’ side as they prepare for a first match on home soil in a decade.  

The 26-year-old said of his team-mate turned coach: "I tried to emulate him in the hard work he put in.  

“Any chance you get to play for Pete is unbelievable, that was one of the main things that made me excited for the game as Pete's head coach so it's a good chance to represent him as well.” 

Horne has selected a starting line-up with an abundance of experience to face a Chile side dispatched comfortably by the senior international side in the summer, and that lost to the Netherlands last weekend.  

But McDowall insisted his team will not take their visitors to Hive Stadium lightly.  

"Jamie Dobie was saying to me today, he watched the Chile game back from the summer and after 35 minutes it was 6-5 to Chile.

Jamie Dobie in action against Chile on the summer tourJamie Dobie in action against Chile on the summer tour (Image: Getty Images) "It wasn't an easy game over there so we're expecting a good tough test match against a strong test team who've had games together recently.  

“I know they lost to the Netherlands at the weekend but I know that would be a disappointing result for them so they had a good result against Canada the week before so they’ll be a tough team." 

On the bench, the squad features four players who are yet to play a competitive match for their professional clubs.  

But McDowall is urging the youngsters just to be themselves.  

“The message at the start of the week was that you've been called into this group for a reason, either because you're here to bring a bit of experience, or you're here because they see you've got massive potential for the future.  

“It's not like we're a team of nobodies who've been pulled together at the last minute, there's been some thought put into it.  

“I've seen Jare [Oguntibeju] and these guys train at Glasgow and they're unbelievable athletes with a huge amount of potential. For them it's a massive opportunity and I just know seeing them train today and seeing them come in on Monday they were massively excited to be involved." 

Another player who is keen to grasp the opportunity is Mosese Tuipulotu, who will partner McDowall in the midfield.  

Mosese Tuipulotu will partner McDowall in the Scotland 'A' midfield against ChileMosese Tuipulotu will partner McDowall in the Scotland 'A' midfield against Chile (Image: SNS) The Edinburgh centre, the younger brother of national team captain Sione, was surprised by his “Greenock granny” earlier this week as she’s flown in from Australia to watch her grandsons play for Scotland.  

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After weeks together in the ‘non-23’ team at training, McDowall is looking forward to linking up with the younger Tuipulotu brother.  

"He's very similar to Nonz [Sione] in a lot of his ball play and stuff, really good at playing the ball at the line and he's physical as well, he's maybe a bit taller than Nonz.  

"I'm really excited to play with him, I know he'll be up for it and he's excited for it so hopefully I can give him some ball and let him run.”