Lineen rings the changes for Wales clash
Head Coach Sean Lineen has named five personnel changes to his Scotland U20 side to face their Welsh counterparts this Friday (24 February, kick-off 8.30pm) in the third round of the Six Nations – live on Scottish Rugby TV.
The changes are predominantly in the back division where three players come into the starting line-up.
Ross McCann is promoted from the bench to start on the wing in a straight swap with Robbie Nairn.
Josh Henderson – who was originally named to start against France, but had to drop out of the match-day squad through illness – returns to the fray to don the number 10 shirt, while Charlie Shiel makes his first start of the Championship at scrum-half.
In the forward pack, prop Fergus Bradbury and lock Hamish Bain are set to make their first start for the age-grade side in Friday’s clash against Wales.
Head Coach, Sean Lineen, said: “Firstly, we’re looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd. There was a real buzz around Broadwood at our game against Ireland and we hope for a similar atmosphere this weekend.
“We’ve made a few changes to the starting side but the core of the squad remains fairly consistent.
“There was a lot of positives to take from the game out in France and we have looked at building on them, while also focussing on improving our basic skills.
“Wales, as always, will be want to play a fluid and open game, while bringing an element of physicality at the contact and set-piece. We’ll need to front-up as a unit and match them if we’re to compete.”
Stafford McDowall and Darcy Graham join McCann in the starting back-three.
Craig Pringle remains in midfield and is joined by Connor Eastgate, who moves out from stand-off to inside-centre, following the inclusion of Henderson.
Try-scorer against France, Fraser Renwick, continues at hooker, with George Thornton and Bradbury set to start at prop.
Captain Callum Hunter-Hill remains in the boiler-room and is partnered by Bain.
Luke Crosbie and Tom Dodd continue in the back-row alongside Alex Craig, who moves from a starting lock berth to the blindside flank.
Scotland U20 team to play Wales U20 in the U20 Six Nations Championship at Broadwood Stadium, this Friday (24 February, kick-off 8.30pm) – live on Scottish Rugby TV
15. Stafford McDowall (Ayr)
14. Ross McCann (Melrose)**
13. Craig Pringle (Stirling County)*
12. Connor Eastgate (Wasps)
11. Darcy Graham (Hawick)**
10. Josh Henderson (Glasgow Hawks)**
9. Charlie Shiel (Currie)**
1. Fergus Bradbury (Stirling County)*
2. Fraser Renwick (Hawick)*
3. Adam Nicol (Stirling County)
4. Hamish Bain (Currie)*
5. Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)**
6. Alex Craig (Gloucester)
7. Luke Crosbie (Currie)**
8. Tom Dodd (Worcester Warriors)
Replacements
16. Robbie Smith (Ayr)*
17. Daniel Winning (Boroughmuir)**
18. George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)
19. Bruce Flockhart (Glasgow Hawks)**
20. Jamie Ure (Boroughmuir)*
21. Andrew Simmers (Heriot’s)
22. Cameron Hutchison (Currie)**
23. Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)
*BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 player
**BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 player
Related Posts
« Five players set for Wales U20 debuts on Friday night Ireland U20 Side to play France U20 »
