Darge to lead Scotland U20s for Six Nations opener

Scotland U20 Head Coach Sean Lineen has named his match-day squad for the opening fixture of the 2020 Six Nations, where they will face Ireland U20 at Independent Park, Cork, on Friday night (7:15pm Kick Off)

Rory Darge, who will start at No 8, is handed the captaincy responsibilities of the young charges as they look to get their tournament off to a strong start against last year’s U20 Grand Slam champions.

From the selected 23, the team boasts 17 members who have featured in the newly-created FOSROC Super6 this season, with twelve players in the matchday squad having appeared in Scotland’s previous U20 campaign.

Hooker Ewan Ashman will be flanked by Alex Maxwell and Dan Gamble in the front row, with Kieron Watt and Cameron Henderson packing down the second row.

Jack Hill and Connor Boyle are blindside and openside flankers respectively, with Darge at No 8 completing the pack.

Rory Darge will captain Scotland U20s for the Six Nations opener

Behind the scrum, Roan Frostwick has been selected as the starting scrum-half and forms a partnership with Nathan Chamberlain at stand-off.

Robbie McCallum and Matt Currie are paired in the centres, with Jacob Henry and Jack Blain on either wing and Ollie Smith at full-back.

Ahead of the 2020 Six Nations curtain-raiser, Head Coach Sean Lineen said: “It’s been a pretty tough selection, there’s a lot of guys who were here last year and they obviously have a point to prove. The team’s come together really well, they’re pretty tight and working really hard on different parts of their game.

“We know we will need to get our performance right against a pretty physical and clever Irish outfit who won this fixture last year away from home, so we know what type of cauldron we’re going into.

“We’ve prepared really well this week, I’ve been very impressed with their attitude and we’re going over there to give a really good performance.”

Two players have been brought into the training squad who feature on the bench for the Scots in the shape of Mak Wilson and Kieran Watt. Thomas Lambert, a versatile prop, features on the bench alongside Kyle McGhie who will offer a goal-kicking impact option.

From original squad announced previously§ the following players are injured and therefore not considered for this match; Thomas Jeffery, Carin Ramsay, Robbie Simpson, Scott Robeson.

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland on Friday at Independent Park, Cork (kick-off 7:15pm)

15. Ollie Smith (Ayrshire Bulls) *

14. Jacob Henry (Southern Knights) *
13. Matthew Currie (Watsonians Rugby) *
12. Robbie McCallum (Boroughmuir Bears) *
11. Jack Blain (Heriot’s Rugby)

10. Nathan Chamberlain (Hartpury College/Bristol Bears)
9. Roan Frostwick (Watsonians Rugby) *

1. Alex Maxwell (Stourbridge)
2. Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks)
3. Dan Gamble (Heriot’s Rugby) *
4. Kieran Watt (Watsonians Rugby)
5. Cameron Henderson (Stirling County) *
6. Jack Hill (Durham University)
8. Rory Darge (Southern Knights) * ©
7. Connor Boyle (Watsonians Rugby) *

Replacements
16. Rory Jackson (Watsonians Rugby) *
17. Mak Wilson (Southern Knights)
18. Thomas Lambert (Sydney University)
19. Jamie Campbell (Biggar) *
20. Gregor Brown (Boroughmuir Bears) *

21. Kyle McGhie (Boroughmuir Bears)
22. Cameron Scott (Boroughmuir Bears) *
23. Rufus McLean (Boroughmuir Bears) *

*FOSROC Academy player