Scotland’s under-17 development squad head south on Monday having completed their final preparations for this season’s Millfield International Festival.Scotland’s under-17 development squad head south on Monday having completed their final preparations for this season’s Millfield International Festival. Following a three week preparation phase with warm-up victories against Newcastle Falcons (23-18) and an East Lothian select (18-12) the squad face a demanding schedule of matches against Wales, Portugal, and France in the space of one week in the Somerset countryside. Head Coach Bryan Easson stressed that a huge step-up in intensity was awaiting his squad on Tuesday (1 April) when they face Wales. He said: The boys are now on the steepest learning curve of their rugby-playing lives but they have shown that they are improving week on week. This development programme is an excellent way of exposing our potential players of the future to the demands of top-flight rugby against the best opposition we can possibly play. I’m expecting nothing short of a huge physical and mental test for each and every one of them. The Millfield Rugby Festival runs from 31 March – 6 April Match dates Tuesday 1 April: Scotland v Wales, kick-off 10am Thursday 3 April: Scotland v Portugal, kick-off 11.30am Saturday 5 April: Scotland v France, kick-off 4pm Forwards Duncan Morrison (Sedbergh School), George Hunter (Aberdeen Wanderers), Neil Kiltie (Robert Gordon’s College), Ross Turner (Fettes College), Richard Ferguson, (Melrose Wasps), Peter Forrest (Selkirk Youth Club), Luke Morrow (Merchiston Castle School) Callum Evans (George Watson’s College), Robert McAlpine (Glasgow Academy), Callum Wishart (Dollar Academy), Cameron Orr (Dumfries) Andrew Kirkland (Greenock Wanderers), Grant Runciman (Melrose Wasps) Duncan Finnie (George Watson’s College) Backs Mark Clark (Annan), Sean Kennedy (Clackmannanshire Colts), Gregor Hunter (Gala Wanderers), Duncan Weir (Cambuslang), Danny Gilmour (Stirling County ), Henry Oliver (Merchiston Castle School), Courtenay Morrison (Dollar Academy), Craig Robertson (Gala Wanderers), Harry Mountain (Gordonstoun), Grant Somerville (George Watson’s College), Glenn Bryce (Stirling County), Jamie Anderson (George Heriot’s School) U17 management Team Rob Charters – team manager Bryan Easson – head coach Gordon Henderson assistant coach Mark Appleson – assistant coach Iain Cleland – conditioning coach Kate Morris – physiotherapist John Turvil – doctor Roddy Deans – video analyst