Dalziel makes six changes for tournament finale

Dalziel makes six changes for tournament finale

Head Coach John Dalziel has made six changes to his starting side to meet Wales in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship 7th place play-off tomorrow at Manchester City Academy Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm) – live stream available on worldrugby.org.The changes are split equally between the forwards and backs, with three personnel changes being made to each division.In the front-row George Thornton and Callum Sheldon replace Murray McCallum and Zander Fagerson. In the back-row Alex Craig is set to make his first start for Scotland under-20 as he packs down on the blinside flank in place of the injured Jamie Ritchie.Charlie Shiel and Ruairi Howarth are both set to make their first start in this year’s tournament as they replace Hugh Fraser and Blair Kinghorn at scrum-half and full-back respectively, while wing Cameron Gray gains promotion from the bench to start on the left-wing.Dalziel said: “This is huge match for us as seventh place, a highest ever finish for Scotland under-20, is up for grabs.”We know what Wales bring to the table, especially in terms of their physicality, but we have a tight-group who will front-up to the challenge ahead.”We’re giving players who have been making an impact off the bench a chance to start and hopefully they’ll grasp the opportunity with both hands. These players have grown throughout the tournament, so we’re hoping they can build on that experience and take it into tomorrow’s clash. “With this group we talk about filling the shirt, and big games like tomorrow is where we need boys to step up and show their pride in wearing the jersey.” Hooker Lewis Anderson makes his second consecutive start joining Thornton and Sheldon in the front-row. The lock combination of Callum Hunter-Hill and Scott Cummings remains, with the latter skippering the side in the play-off clash, while Lewis Wynne and Ally Miller pack-down alongside Craig in the back-row. Stand-off Adam Hastings partners the incoming Sheil at half-back, alongside the unchanged midfield duo of Matt McPhillips and Tom Galbraith. Robbie Nairn retains his spot on the right-wing with Gray on the left-flank and Howarth at full-back.Centre Lewis Berg is included among the replacements and will make his Scotland under-20 debut if called upon from the bench. Prop Adam Nicol is also selected in the matchday 23 after being named as Jake Kerr’s squad replacement earlier this week.   Players unavailable due to injury: Blair Kinghorn (leg), Murray McCallum (elbow), Jamie Ritchie (concussion)Scotland under-20 team to play Wales under-20 in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship??? Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester? ? Saturday 25 June 2016? ? Live stream on worldrugby.org 15. Ruairi Howarth (Gala) 14. Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)13. Tom Galbraith (Melrose)12. Matt McPhillips (Currie)11. Cameron Gray (Currie) 10. Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby)9. Charlie Shiel (Currie) 1. George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)2. Lewis Anderson (Ayr)3. Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University)4. Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)5. Scott Cummings CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors)6. Alex Craig (Hartpury College)7. Lewis Wynne (Stirling County8. Ally Miller (Melrose) Substitutes16. Fraser Renwick (Hawick)17. Dan Elkington (Melrose)18. Adam Nicol (Stirling County)19. Stephen Ainslie (Currie)20. Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir)21. Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s)22. Lewis Berg (George Watson’s College)23. Ben Robbins (Currie)

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