Reshuffled U20 side named for All Blacks Test

7 Jun 2019

Scotland U20 Head Coach Carl Hogg has named a rotated starting XV to face New Zealand U20 in tomorrow’s World Rugby U20 Championship second round fixture at Rosario’s Racecourse Stadium (Saturday 8 June; kick-off 7.30pm BST, 4.30pm local time) – streamed live on world.rugby/u20

The starting line-up includes just three players from the side that faced South Africa U20 in Tuesday’s Championship’s opener.

Second-row Ewan Johnson (Racing 92) and Heriot’s duo Rory McMichael – who switches from wing to outside centre – and Jack Blain all keep their spots in the much-changed XV.

The revamped selection sees back-row Jack Hill (Durham University) make his Scotland U20 debut after being called into the age-grade side’s training squad last month.

Wing Lomond MacPherson (Watsonians), stand-off Nathan Chamberlain (Bristol Bears), scrum-half Murray Scott (Watsonians), props Andrew Nimmo (Glasgow Hawks) and Will Hurd (Cardiff Metropolitan Univeristy), hooker Rory Jackson (Edinburgh Academy) and back-row Teddy Leatherbarrow (Sale Sharks) all make their first start for the age-grade side.

Head Coach Carl Hogg, said: “Although the score line was comprehensive against South Africa, there were elements of our game that we can take real positives out of.

“Our set piece was strong while our lineout drive caused the opposition constant problems.

“Defensively, South Africa created issues with their scrum-half’s ability to run and challenge our inside defenders, and in attack we were frustrated that we couldn’t exploit the space on the outside of their blitz defence.”

“We’ve obviously made a number of changes to the side ahead of tomorrow’s match against New Zealand. It will be a real test for us, but the boys who’ve come in will be desperate to make an impact.

“Playing sides like New Zealand is what the World Rugby U20 Championship is all about and we’ll go into the match-up with a real desire to perform and represent the jersey.”
Head Coach Carl Hogg

“Scottish history and sport is about upsetting the odds and we intend to try and do that this weekend.”

A new-look back-three sees Ollie Smith (Ayr) get the nod at fullback alongside wingers MacPherson and Blain.

Inside centre Robbie McCallum (Complutense Cisneros), who makes his first start of the Championship, partners McMichael in midfield, while stand-off Chamberlain – who is named as captain – links-up with Scott at half-back.

Props Nimmo and Hurd – who both saw game time from the bench in Tuesday’s opening round defeat to South Africa – pack down alongside hooker Jackson in the front-row, as locks Johnson and Ross Bundy (Stirling County) complete the tight-five.

In the back-row, debutant Hill is selected at blindside flanker, with openside flanker Leatherbarrow and No.8 Kwagga van Niekerk (Lions) forming the remainder of the pack.

Scotland U20 team to face New Zealand U20 at Racecourse Stadium, Rosario in the World Rugby U20 Championship on Saturday 8 June (kick-off 7.30pm BST, 4.30pm local time) – streamed live on world.rugby/u20

15. Ollie Smith (Ayr)*

14. Lomond MacPherson (Watsonians)

13. Rory McMichael (Heriot’s)*

12. Robbie McCallum (Complutense Cisneros)

11. Jack Blain (Heriot’s)*

10. Nathan Chamberlain (Bristol Bears) CAPTAIN

9. Murray Scott (Watsonians)

1. Andrew Nimmo (Glasgow Hawks)*

2. Rory Jackson (Edinburgh Academy)

3. Will Hurd (Cardiff Metropolitan University)

4. Ewan Johnson (Racing 92)

5. Ross Bundy (Stirling County)