10 changes for Scotland Men U20 ahead of Hong Kong China encounter

5 Jul 2024

Head coach Kenny Murray has made 10 changes to his Scotland Men U20 side for their second World Rugby U20 Trophy match against Hong Kong China U20 at Hive Stadium on Sunday (kick off 2.30pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

Seb Stephen, Callum Norrie, Dylan Cockburn, Ruaraidh Hart and Jonny Morris are all brought into the starting pack, with Glasgow Warrior Hart listed as vice-captain.

Hooker Stephen and tighthead prop Norrie are joined in the front row by Robbie Deans, who retains his place at loosehead prop from the record 123-15 win over Samoa U20 on Tuesday.

Cockburn and Hart make up an entirely new second now, while Morris comes in at number 8 alongside captain Liam McConnell and openside flanker Freddy Douglas who keep their spots.

In the back division, scrum-half Hector Patterson and stand-off Matthew Urwin represent a changed half-back partnership.

Kerr Yule comes into the side at inside centre, and is joined in midfield by Johnny Ventisei who again wears the 13 jersey.

The back three is made up of left winger Ludo Kolade and full-back Jack Hocking, both of whom make their first starts of the tournament, and right winger Finlay Doyle who maintains his position from round one.

On the bench, Jerry and Ollie Blyth-Laffery, who became the first brothers to play a competitive fixture together for Scotland U20 on Tuesday, both come out of the starting XV. Fellow front-row Ben White will wear the 17 shirt for the second game in a row.

The final two replacement forward spots are taken by Ryan Burke and vice-captain Tom Currie, while Conor McAlpine, Andrew McLean and Fergus Watson are the backs primed to join the action.

Murray said: “With the nature of this tournament and the short turnaround between matches, it is important that we are able to use the full squad and that everyone can step up.

“While we were delighted with our win on Tuesday, we know that we can still perform better as a team and Sunday gives us an opportunity to do that.

“Hong Kong China will provide us with another good test and give us an opportunity to play a team and style of rugby that we haven’t faced before, which is exciting for this group.”

Scotland Men U20 team to play Hong Kong China U20 in the World Rugby U20 Trophy on Sunday 7 July at Hive Stadium (kick off 2.30pm) – live on BBC ALBA

15. Jack Hocking (Edinburgh Rugby)

14. Finlay Doyle (Loughborough University)
13. Johnny Ventisei (Glasgow Warriors)
12. Kerr Yule (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Ludo Kolade (Harlequins/Bath University

10. Matthew Urwin (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Hector Patterson (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Robbie Deans (Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Seb Stephen (unattached)
3. Callum Norrie (Glasgow Warriors
4. Dylan Cockburn (Southern Knights/Melrose RFC)
5. Ruaraidh Hart (Glasgow Warriors) – Vice-captain
6. Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain
7. Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Jonny Morris (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
17. Ben White (Biggar RFC)
18. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
19. Ryan Burke (Glasgow Warriors)
20. Tom Currie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain
21. Conor McAlpine (Watsonians)
22. Andrew McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
23. Fergus Watson (Glasgow Warriors)