Scotland U20 team named for Six Nations opening clash

EDINBUGRH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 30: A Scotland U20 Training Session at the Oriam, on January 30, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Back-row Liam McConnell and centre Duncan Munn will co-captain the 23-man team when they face their English counterparts at the Twickenham Stoop – home of Harlequins FC.

Cardiff Met University’s Max Surry will be one of several players making his Scotland U20 debut when he starts at loosehead prop. He is joined in the front-row by Boroughmuir Bears hooker Corey Tait (brother of the 2021 and 2022 Scotland U20 captain Rhys Tait) and Scotland U20 veteran Callum Norrie (Stirling Wolves and Glasgow Warriors) at tighthead prop.

Ealing Trailfinders and Brunel University’s Jake Parkinson and Harris McLeod (Stirling Wolves and Glasgow Warriors) join forces to create the team’s starting second row.

Liam McConnell (Boroughmuir Bears and Edinburgh Rugby) makes his first appearance as co-captain at blindside flanker and is joined by Rudi Brown (Southern Knights and Edinburgh Rugby) on the openside. Jonny Morris (GHA RFC) completes the forward pack when he pulls on the Number 8 jersey.

Ben Afshar (Ayrshire Bulls and Glasgow Warriors) starts at scrum-half and will pair up with Richie Simpson (Ayrshire Bulls) at stand-off, fulfilling the half-back partnership.

Glasgow Hawks’ Kerr Yule takes up the position of inside centre alongside co-captain Duncan Munn (Boroughmuir Bears and Glasgow Warriors) who leads the backs at outside centre.

Amena Caqusau (GHA RFC) and William Robinson (Caldy RFC) are called up to take charge of the wings with Dan King (Heriot’s Rugby) completing the starting fifteen at full-back.

Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “Playing against England is always an exciting way to begin the Six Nations and the whole team are looking forward to giving their all at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

“We’ve learnt a lot from our campaign last year and the guys have been working hard to implement those lessons in training to make sure we can walk away with a result we are proud of.

“It’ll take a great amount of physicality and determination from the team to walk away with a victory and I’m sure the players have it in them.”

Scotland U20 Team to face England U20 at Twickenham Stoop on Friday 3 February 2023
(kick-off 7pm – live on BBC iPlayer)

15. Dan King** (Heriot’s Rugby)

14. William Robinson (Caldy RFC)
13. Duncan Munn* (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)
12. Kerr Yule** (Glasgow Hawks)
11. Amena Caqusau** (GHA RFC)

10. Richie Simpson (Ayrshire Bulls)
9. Ben Afshar* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)

1. Max Surry (Cardiff Met University)
2. Corey Tait** (Boroughmuir Bears)
3. Callum Norrie* (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
4. Jake Parkinson (Ealing Trailfinders/Brunel University)
5. Harris McLeod* (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
6. Liam McConnell* (Boroughmuir Bears/Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Rudi Brown* (Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Jonny Morris** (GHA RFC)

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty** (Boroughmuir Bears)
17. Craig Davidson (Watsonian RFC)
18. Moby Ogunlaja (Glasgow Hawks)
19. Eddie Erskine (Bath University)
20. Ruaraidh Hart** (Glasgow Hawks)
21. Sam Derrick** (Southern Knights)
22. Finlay Burgess* (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
23. Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders/Brunel University)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player
**FOSROC Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Player