Match Preview: England A v Scotland A

HOW TO WATCH

The match is live on Channel 4 from 1.30pm ahead of a 2pm kick-off in Leicester. Supporters can also keep up with all the build-up, action and reaction via the Scottish Rugby social channels.

SCOTLAND TEAM NEWS

Interim Head Coach Mike Blair named a balanced 23 as a new-look Scotland squad begin their 2021 Summer Tour with an ‘A’ international at the home of Leicester Tigers.

With nine players isolating following a positive COVID-19 case earlier this week, the newly selected quartet of Stafford McDowall, Callum Hunter-Hill, Ben Vellacott and George Taylor go straight in to the matchday 23.

Leicester Tigers’ centre Matt Scott captains the side on his return to international rugby and his club ground, with Bath’s Josh Bayliss named vice-captain.

Click below to get all the team news from Scotland camp.

Your Scotland 'A' team to play England 'A' in our 2021 summer tour opener at Welford Road tomorrow. ???????#AsOne

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 26, 2021

ENGLAND TEAM NEWS

Eleven uncapped players will start for England A who are led by Head Coach John Mitchell.

Lewis Ludlow will captain the side at blind-side flanker, with Ben Curry at open-side flanker and Callum Chick at No.8.

Five Leicester Tigers players will start the game at their home ground – Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Ellis Genge (loose-head prop), who will be vice-captain for the game, joins his club teammates Joe Heyes (tight-head prop), Harry Wells (lock), Dan Kelly (inside centre) and Freddie Steward (full back).

Click below to get all the team news from England camp.

??????? ? ?@LewisLudlow94 will captain the side against Scotland A on Sunday ???????

Watch live on Channel 4 at 14:00 BST ⏰#WearTheRose @o2sports

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 25, 2021

WHAT’S BEEN SAID

Scotland Interim Head Coach Mike Blair: “We’ve clearly had a bit of disruption this week, but the medical team and our playing squad have handled the situation extremely professionally.

“It is unfortunately a reminder of the world we’re currently living in and the players are now isolating as per Scottish Government guidelines.

“Despite this, we’ve still had a really good training week, with this young and talented squad maintaining the high standards and levels of enthusiasm that we expect while in Scotland camp.

“As we’ve said all week, we’re treating this ‘A’ game like a Test match, and so the build-up and processes that we go through on a weekly basis have remained the same. We expect our squad to continue that intensity into game day, as this match gives every player an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage.

“This is a relatively new group of players – especially with Stafford, Callum, Ben and George only just coming in to the squad – however they’ve already shown in a short space of time that they have the ability and attitude to make a statement with their performances.

“The players have put in the hard work and now we look forward to the challenge of taking on a strong England ‘A’ side this Sunday.”

England Head Coach John Mitchell said: “This squad has grown over the past few weeks, is full of energy and competition and the players have given their all.

“Now the next step is for us to work even harder at becoming more cohesive in our final stages of our preparation.

“We are looking forward to a tough game against Scotland A. We’ve prepared well and will arrive ready for it.”

GET THE LATEST

Hear from Interim Head Coach Mike Blair as he discusses his team selection ahead of game day at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.