Stafford McDowall, born on February 24, 1998, is a Scottish professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Glasgow Warriors. He primarily plays at the centre position but is also capable of covering at fullback.
McDowall's rugby journey began at Kirkcudbright Academy and Stewartry RFC, before moving on to Dumfries Rugby Club and Merchiston Castle School. He progressed through the ranks, representing the Glasgow Warriors U17 side in August 2014. He then played for Edinburgh U18 before returning to Glasgow to feature for the U20 team.
In 2016-17, McDowall entered the Scottish Rugby Academy as a Stage 1-2 player. He advanced to the Stage 3 professional phase of the academy in the 2017-18 season. During this time, he was drafted to Ayr in the Scottish Premiership as part of the Pro draft.
McDowall made his debut for the Glasgow Warriors against the Southern Kings in October 2017. He signed his first professional contract with the club in 2018. Known for his size and versatility, McDowall can excel in both the centres and the back three, posing a significant threat in attack. He received recognition for his performances during the 2018/19 season when he was awarded the Land Rover Young Player of the Season.
In January 2023, McDowall was named captain for the first time and led the Glasgow Warriors to a 40-26 victory over USA Perpignan, scoring a try in the process. He continued to impress by scoring a brace in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Scarlets, helping his team secure a 35-17 win and a spot in their first-ever European final.
At the international level, McDowall has represented Scotland in the U18 and U20 categories. He was part of the Scotland squad that competed in the 2017 World Rugby U20s Championship in Georgia, achieving their best-ever finish of fifth place. McDowall was then appointed captain for the 2018 edition of the tournament.
KG(07/06/2023)
Career
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Glasgow Warriors Inside Centre |
2018 - present |
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Scotland Inside Centre |
2019 - present |
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Scotland U20's Inside Centre |
2018 - 2019 |
