Lions call up 9-cap Scotland forward Gregor Brown

The British & Irish Lions have called up Gregor Brown, a Scotland back-five forward with just nine international caps to his name.

The Lions, who drew first blood in the series with a 27-19 victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane, are pulling in recruits ahead of their mid-week game with the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday. Brown will join the squad alongside Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman.

A statement reads: “The British & Irish Lions travel to Melbourne today ahead of Tuesday’s fixture against the First Nations & Pasifika XV and the Second Test of the 2025 Qatar Airways Lions Series.

“And Scotland and Glasgow Warriors lock Gregor Brown will join the squad in Melbourne this evening. Brown made his Scotland debut against Canada in 2024.

“Brown’s Scotland teammates Rory Sutherland (Lion #840) and Ewan Ashman will also link up with the squad in Melbourne on Sunday.”

The relatively unheralded 24-year-old is in his Test infancy, and his inclusion seems to be based more on the convenience of his geographic location and positional versatility.

Farrell chose to call up Brown ahead of Scotland teammates Grant Gilchrist, Andy Onyeama-Christie, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Cameron Henderson, Marshall Sykes or Ben Muncaster, with his ability to play in both the second and back row presumably a telling factor.

The 6’3″, 109kg Brown was born in Aberdeen and spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and Egypt before returning to the city.

A former Robert Gordon’s College student, he played for Gordonians and Boroughmuir Bears. After progressing through the Stage Three academy, he signed with Glasgow Warriors in 2022.

Brown trained with Scotland during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and made his international debut on the 2024 Skyscanner Americas Tour in a win over Canada.

He featured in the 2025 Six Nations, earning his first start in the final match against France.

Brown is the latest eyebrow-raising call-up from Farrell, who summoned rookie Leinster and Ireland tighthead Tom Clarkson into the touring party to much opprobrium last week.