Scotland U20 team for Irish finale

18 Mar 2022

Scotland U20 Head Coach Kenny Murray has named his side to face Ireland in their final match of the Under-20 Six Nations at Musgrave Park, Cork on Sunday 20 March (kick-off 5pm) – live on the BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer.

Murray has made only one change to the starting team who were defeated by Italy last weekend in Treviso.

Edinburgh Rugby’s Patrick Harrison (pictured) returns to the starting team at hooker and will pack down with loosehead prop Mikey Jones (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) and tighthead prop Gregor Scougall (Currie Chieftains) who both start their fourth game in a row.

Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders) and Max Williamson (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) have started every game of this campaign together in the boiler house and will start Sunday’s game together too.

The back row also remains unchanged from last week with Newcastle Falcons’ Matthew Deehan at blindside flanker, Glasgow Hawks Tim Brown at openside flanker with Rhys Tait (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) captaining the side from Number 8.

The familiar pairing of Murray Redpath (Newcastle University) and Christian Townsend (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors) make up the half-back partnership at scrum-half and stand-off.

For the fourth consecutive game Andy Stirrat (GHA) and Duncan Munn (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) will start at inside and outside centre.

Both wingers Ben Evans (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) and Ross McKnight (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) retain their starting positions in the team with Montpellier’s Robin Mc Clintock starting at full-back to complete the starting line up.

On the bench, Duncan Hood (Bath University), Ali Rogers (Glasgow Hawks) retain their places in the match-day squad with Corrie Bowker (Fylde RFC) coming in to replace the injured prop Callum Norrie.

Innes Hill (Ealing Trailfinders) made an impact from the bench last time out, he’s joined by Robert Gordon (Exeter University) as the other forward replacements.

Jonty Cope (Durham University) is the replacement scrum-half, with Thomas Glendenning (Glasgow Hawks) and Keiran Clark (Southern Knights) able to provide further energy to the back line should they be called upon.

Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “Ireland are undefeated so far in this campaign, they’re going for the Grand Slam so we know they will be a challenge for us.

“We’ve made only one change to the starting team who travelled to Italy, although the final score didn’t reflect it, there were some positives to take from our performance against them.

“It’s been a long campaign for our players who have worked hard throughout. If we convert our chances into points we can end the tournament on a high.”

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland on Sunday 20 March at Musgrave Park, Cork (kick-off 5pm) – live on BBC iPlayer.

15. Robin Mc Clintock (Montpellier) (4)

14. Ross McKnight* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) (7)
13. Duncan Munn** (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) (4)
12. Andy Stirrat** (GHA) (3)
11. Ben Evans (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) (3)

10. Christian Townsend* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors) (9)
9. Murray Redpath (Newcastle University) (8)

1. Michael Jones* (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby) (9)
2. Patrick Harrison* (Edinburgh Rugby) (8)
3. Gregor Scougall** (Currie Chieftains) (4)
4. Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders) (4)
5. Max Williamson* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) (8)
6. Matthew Deehan (Newcastle Falcons) (4)
8. Rhys Tait* (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors) (9) CAPTAIN
7. Tim Brown (Glasgow Hawks) (2)

Replacements  
16. Duncan Hood (Bath University) (3)
17. Ali Rogers (Glasgow Hawks) (3)
18. Corey Bowker (Fylde RFC) (2)
19. Innes Hill (Ealing Trailfinders) (1)
20. Robert Gordon (Exeter University) (1)
21. Jonty Cope (Durham University) (2)
22. Thomas Glendinning** (Glasgow Hawks) (5)
23. Keiran Clark** (Southern Knights) (1)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player
**FOSROC Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Player
(N) donates previous Scotland U20 appearances