Ollie Leatherbarrow Earns Long-Awaited Scotland Call-Up for Nations Championship

Ollie Leatherbarrow has revealed his aspiration for a Scotland call-up has been a long-standing ambition, following his inclusion as the only uncapped player in Gregor Townsend's squad for the Nations Championship.

The Newcastle Red Bulls back-rower secured his spot ahead of Edinburgh players Magnus Bradbury and Freddie Douglas, having previously represented Scotland at the under-16 and under-20 levels. The 24-year-old, born in Macclesfield with Scottish heritage through his grandmother from Perth, has set his sights on earning his first cap in upcoming matches against New Zealand, Australia, Japan, or in the final in London.

"I've spent a long time watching a fair few of the guys I'm training with so it's pretty surreal," Leatherbarrow stated. "But I'm excited to rip in and learn from everyone and take the opportunity with both hands."

He described receiving the news during a Zoom call with coaches, where his season's performance and strengths were discussed. "At the end of that call they just let me know that I'd be selected so I'm absolutely delighted. This has been my long-term goal for a long while now. When you're playing for your club and you feel like you're playing well, then obviously you're always looking to get that national call up."

Leatherbarrow added his immediate goal is to win his first cap and contribute to a successful autumn campaign. "I want to win my first cap and I want to be part of the team that goes three from three in the autumn. We spoke about it in the first few meetings yesterday that we want to go for that top play-off final."

Despite starting only once for Newcastle this season, Leatherbarrow acknowledged a period of development after his under-20 commitments concluded. "Coming out of the under-20s, I probably had a bit more to learn than I thought. This year, with all the new signings at the start of pre-season, I didn't just want to sit back and accept that there's going to be a new signing ahead of me."

He believes his performance in pre-season and consistent involvement in games this season have been key. "I'd like to think I competed pretty well in pre-season and then, going into the season, I've been involved in every game. Of course, when you're trying to put out good performances, the end goal is always to be here."

Leatherbarrow mentioned a conversation with Gregor Townsend in the summer, where the coach indicated he was close to selection but needed to show more. "So that's what spurred me on in pre-season, knowing that if I have a good pre-season in a competitive Newcastle team, then the sky's the limit, really. I'm massively proud to represent Scotland."

Townsend's consultancy role with Newcastle was not seen by Leatherbarrow as a factor in his selection, though he did consult with teammates Elliot Millar Mills and Chris Harris. "I think that relationship is more with the coaches," Leatherbarrow said. "He doesn't have anything to do with the players. I'd say maybe once a month I'll see him in person and say hello, but he wouldn't talk to me about my game there, no."

He found support from his teammates, stating, "Elliot kept me right, to be fair. He just explained what the lads are like and just said how much of a welcoming group it is. To be fair, he's right. You'd expect players of this calibre to have a bit of an ego about them, but everyone's been so welcoming and made me feel they're comfortable."

Leatherbarrow also highlighted the advice from experienced player Chris Harris. "And Chris Harris, he's great. He's got so much experience and didn't develop until a bit later as well. So I've taken from him that the door's not shut if you're not capped by 22 or 23. Both of them have been really helpful."