Murray confirms Scotland U20 team for final 2024 Six Nations match

Scotland’s Johnny Ventisei during the 2024 Under 20 Six Nations Championship Round 4 between Italy and Scotland in Stadio Monigo, Treviso, Italy Friday, March 8, 2024 (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli / Inpho)

Murray has called up four new names into the matchday 23 for the final game. Jack Brown – one of the fifteen FOSROC Scottish Rugby contracted academy players aligned to Edinburgh Rugby for the 2023/24 season – is set to make his debut for the Scotland U20 side when he starts at fullback.

The bench welcomes Hawick’s Marcus Brogan for the first time to cover hooker, as well as backs Andrew McLean of Boroughmuir Bears and Finn Douglas of Edinburgh Rugby who will both look to make their first appearance this campaign.

Second-row Ryan Burke and back Fergus Watson both have to sit out for the final game due to injury. Squad rotation sees Jack Hocking, Gavin Parry, Luke Coulston, Murdoch Lock and Matthew Urwin rested.

The front row sees Callum Smyth make his first start of the campaign when he comes in to start at loosehead prop in place of Robbie Deans who moves to the bench. He will partner with tournament regular Callum Norrie at tighthead and Jerry Blyth-Lafferty at hooker.

Euan McVie remains in the second row and sees the return of co-captain Ruaraidh Hart to the boiler room when he moves back from back row duties against Italy.

Freddy Douglas retains the openside flanker jersey for the fifth consecutive game, this time partnered by Jonny Morris at blindside. Tom Currie will join them in the back row at Number 8.

The same half-back pairing that played Italy last weekend gets the start as scrum-half Hector Patterson partners with stand-off Isaac Coates.

Versatile co-captain Geordie Gwynn will start the final match of the tournament on the wing, making way for Johnny Ventisei to make his first start of the campaign at centre. Findlay Thomson and Finlay Doyle will take charge of the other centre and wing positions respectively, after impressing during their first appearances for the young side last week.

Ryan Whitefield, Archie Clarke and Monroe Job join Marcus Brogan and Robbie Deans on the forwards bench with Eric Davey in place to cover the backs with Andrew McLean and Finn Douglas.

Head coach Kenny Murray said: “Being up at half time against Italy proved that we can compete against these teams, but we must give a full 80-minute performance.”

“The small errors we made against them cost us and that’s the reality of international rugby.

“We know Ireland are going to be even tougher this weekend. They are playing to win the title in front of a home crowd, so will pull out all the stops.

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland U20 on Friday 15 March at Virgin Media Park, Cork (kick off 7pm, live on BBC iPlayer)

15. Jack Brown* (Edinburgh Rugby)

14. Finlay Doyle (Loughborough University)
13. Johnny Ventisei* (Glasgow Warriors)
12. Findlay Thomson (Watsonians)
11. Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders/Brunel University) – Co-Captain

10. Isaac Coates* (Edinburgh Rugby)
9. Hector Patterson* (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Callum Smyth* (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty* (Edinburgh Rugby)
3. Callum Norrie* (Glasgow Warriors)
4. Euan McVie* (Edinburgh Rugby)
5. Ruaraidh Hart* (Glasgow Warriors) – Co-Captain
6. Jonny Morris* (Glasgow Warriors)
7. Freddy Douglas* (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Tom Currie* (Edinburgh Rugby)

Replacements

16. Marcus Brogan (Hawick RFC)
17. Robbie Deans* (Edinburgh Rugby)
18. Ryan Whitefield (Biggar RFC)
19. Archie Clarke (Durham University)
20. Monroe Job (Southern Knights)
21. Eric Davey (Stirling Wolves)
22. Andrew McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
23. Finn Douglas* (Edinburgh Rugby)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player