Head Coach Sean Lineen has named his Scotland U20 side to play their Irish counterparts in the opening game of the Six Nations Championship, this Friday (3 February) at Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 8.30pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV.
Of the 23-man squad named, 16 players are products of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy and eight have experience of playing international rugby at U20 level.
3 of the squad are all from Dumfries and Galloway in the second row wearing number 4 is Alex Craig from Corsock who plays for Gloucester now but started his love for Rugby playing for Stewartry RFC, also from Dundrennan Near Kirkcudbright will be Stafford McDowall who plays for Ayr, he will be on the bench wearing the number 23 shirt. Also on the bench and currently playing for Ayr will be Robbie Smith who started playing rugby as a boy with Newton Stewart RFC.
Head Coach, Sean Lineen, said: “A lot of players have made a statement during the preparation camps and their hard work and effort has merited a spot in the side for Friday’s Championship opener.
“A lot of those involved this week are new to the international stage, but they have the quality to compete and we have no doubt they will rise to the occasion.
“Ireland are going to be physical and astute, and we’ll have to be at the top of our game to match them in all facets. However, we’re going to relish in the challenge and we look forward to doing so in front of our home support.”
Scotland U20 team to play Ireland U20 in the U20 Six Nations Championship at Broadwood Stadium this Friday (3 February, kick-off 8.30pm)
Full Squad
5. Darcy Graham (Hawick)**
14. Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)
13. Craig Pringle (Stirling County)*
12. Cameron Hutchison (Currie)**
11. Ross McCann (Melrose)**
10. Josh Henderson (Glasgow Hawks)*
9. Andrew Simmers (Heriot’s)
1. George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)
2. Fraser Renwick (Hawick)*
3. Adam Nicol (Stirling County)
4. Alex Craig (Gloucester)
5. Callum Hunter-Hill CAPTAIN (Stirling County)**
6. Luke Crosbie (Currie)**
7. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks)**
8. Tom Dodd (Worcester Warriors)
Replacements
16. Robbie Smith (Ayr)*
17. Daniel Winning (Boroughmuir)**
18. Fergus Bradbury (Stirling County)*
19. Hamish Bain (Currie)*
20. Jamie Ure (Boroughmuir)*
21. Bruce Flockhart (Glasgow Hawks)**
22. Charlie Shiel (Currie)**
23. Stafford McDowall (Ayr)
