Marshall Sykes

Marshall Sykes, born 29 December 1999, is a Scottish forward whose senior career has taken him into international contention. The 25-year-old operates in the back row and second row, with the size to act as an additional lineout target and the mobility to put a shift in around the field. His profile aligns with the modern hybrid forward Scotland have looked to develop: comfortable lifting and jumping in lineouts, capable of carrying short range, and consistent in the tackle. Earning national recognition as a younger forward marked him as part of the depth Scotland have been building behind their established starting eight. His role within the squad has been about pressing for selection in a competitive back-row picture and adding to the lineout options available to the coaching staff. At his age, Sykes is approaching the window where international forwards typically cement themselves in the squad through tour involvement, autumn windows, and Six Nations rotations — and the consistency of his domestic-level performances will be the key driver of that progression.