Scotland U19 side named for England encounter

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 14: Scotland's Joe Roberts in action during an Under-20s Six Nations match between France and Scotland at the Stade Jean-Bouin, on March 14, 2025, in Paris, France. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

In a predominantly U19 team, some U20 players are also included to give them game time ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Ross Wolfenden continues as co-captain from the defeat to Italy U19 at the start of the month, and is joined by fellow co-captain Joe Roberts.

Roberts at hooker is joined in the front row by Jamie Stewart at tighthead prop, and Will Pearce at loosehead.

Dan Halkon, who played every minute for Scotland U20 in the 2025 U20 Six Nations, starts in the second row alongside Aidan Orr. Warriors academy players Archie McMichael and Rory Purvis are at blindside and openside flanker respectively, and the forwards are completed by number 8 Logan Gray of Stirling County.

Scrum-half Ben Curtis joins Wolfenden in the half-backs. Glasgow’s Alex Bryden is selected at inside centre, with Angus Hunter outside him.

Jamie Thomson is rewarded for a try off the bench against Italy U19 with a start on the left wing this week, with Nairn Moncrieff on the right. The side is completed by fellow tryscorer against Italy Harry Provan.

Seven forwards replacements are named, with Jack Utterson, Jake Shearer, Ryan Whitefield, Anthony McCormack, Finn Ronnie, Mac Rutherford and Seth Roberts all primed to come on in the pack.

The backs replacements are Hamish MacArthur, Freddie Drake Lee, Archie Barbour and Ben Firth.

Pringle said: “These U19 fixtures are about building experience for our best young players and benchmarking ourselves against international opposition.

“We want to go down to Newcastle and put in a performance that we can be proud of against very tough opposition that will really test us in key areas of the game.

“The group have worked hard this week and there are signs of real progress and they’ll be determined to show that in our performance individually and collectively.”

Scotland U19 team to play England U19 at the Percy Park RFC, North Shields tomorrow (kick off 2pm)

15. Harry Provan* (Glasgow Warriors)
14. Nairn Moncrieff* (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Angus Hunter (Heriot’s RFC)
12. Alex Bryden* (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Jamie Thomson (University of St Andrews)

10. Ross Wolfenden* – Co-captain (Edinburgh Rugby)
9. Ben Curtis (GHA RFC)

1. Will Pearce (Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears
2. Joe Roberts* – Co-captain (Glasgow Warriors)
3. Jamie Stewart* (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Aidan Orr (Marr RFC)
5. Dan Halkon* (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Archie McMichael* (Glasgow Warriors)
7. Rory Purvis* (Glasgow Warriors)
8. Logan Gray (Stirling County)

Replacements
16. Jack Utterson* (Kelso RFC)
17. Jake Shearer* (Glasgow Warriors)
18. Ryan Whitefield (Biggar RFC)
19. Anthony McCormack (Hull RUFC/Bishop Burton University)
20. Finn Ronnie (Strathallan School)
21. Hamish MacArthur* (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Freddie Drake Lee (Swansea University)
23. Archie Barbour (Kelso RFC)
24. Mac Rutherford* (Edinburgh Rugby)
25. Seth Roberts (Stamford School/Northampton Saints)
26. Ben Firth (Kirkham School/Sale Sharks)

*Denotes Scottish Rugby Academy Player