Dalziel names experienced under-20 side for tournament opener

Scotland under-20 Head Coach John Dalziel has named an experienced team for his side’s opening clash of the Six Nations Championship against England this Friday, at Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 8pm).Of the starting XV, 12 of the players named have had international experience at under-20 level, with every member of the pack having made appearances for Scotland’s senior age-grade side.Dalziel, said: “We’ve got a big and experienced pack – all who were involved throughout last year’s under-20 season – and a wealth of experience at this level in the backline, so we’re excited about what the team has to offer.”The players who have made the step up to under-20 this year have really added to the group and have shown they deserve their call-up.”The mantra of this team is winning in blue, and a strong core of this group have had the buzz of victory on home soil, which is a real positive, and adds to the sense of confidence in the squad.”We’re excited for the challenge ahead, and hope to get a big and passionate crowd along to welcome us to our new home at Broadwood.”Lock Scott Cummings, who has made seven appearances for Glasgow Warriors this season, will skipper the side and will be joined in the second-row by Glasgow Hawks colleague and former Kelvinside Academy school-mate, Andrew Davidson.Edinburgh Rugby’s Jamie Ritchie will pack down in the back-row alongside BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy players Matt Smith and Ally Miller.Prop Murray McCallum, who started all five of Scotland under-20’s games in last year’s Six Nations, occupies the loosehead prop berth with Callum Sheldon starting at tighthead and Jake Kerr at hooker.Debutants at this age-grade, Hugh Fraser and Adam Hastings, will form as the half-back pairing, and will feature alongside the experienced Tom Galbraith and Rory Hutchinson in the midfield.Edinburgh Rugby’s Blair Kinghorn, who has made eight appearances for the capital club this season, will start in the 15 shirt, with Scotland 7s cap Robbie Nairn and debutant Darcy Graham starting on the left and right wing respectively. Scotland under-20 team to play England under-20 in the Six Nations Championship at Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 8pm) 15 Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 14 Darcy Graham (Hawick)*13 Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)12 Tom Galbraith (Melrose)**11 Robbie Nairn (Harlequins) 10 Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby)9 Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s)** 1 Murray McCallum (Heriot’s)**2 Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir)**3 Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University)4 Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Hawks)**5 Scott Cummings CAPTAIN (Glasgow Hawks)**6 Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby)7 Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks)**8 Ally Miller (Melrose)** Replacements 16 Lewis Anderson (Ayr)17 Ben Christie (Loughborough University)18 Adam Nicol (Stirling County)19 Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)**20 Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir)*21 Charlie Shiel (Currie)*22 George Taylor (Melrose)**23 Ben Robbins (Currie)**  *   BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy stage 2 player** BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy stage 3 player Ticketing informationScotland under-20 will play host to their English and French counterparts in Cumbernauld, on Broadwood Stadium’s synthetic surface, with the age-grade side looking to build on a three game unbeaten home-run in the 2014/15 season.  The under-20 squad will be pairing up with Scotland Women to host double-headers against their respective opposition, with supporters able to enjoy two International rugby matches on each fixture date for one admission fee:Friday 5 FebruaryScotland Women v England Women          6pmScotland under-20 v England under-20      8pmFriday 11 March Scotland Women v England Women          6pmScotland under-20 v England under-20      8pm Adult tickets cost just£10 (valid for both games on each match day), with under 18s and senior citizens going free of charge.  Scotland Season Pass holders can also benefit from free entry, on a first-come, first-served basis.  Visit www.scottishrugby.org/repfixtures