Scotland U20 team named for World Championship opener

Head Coach John Dalziel has named his Scotland under-20 side to face their Australian counterparts in the opening game of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, tomorrow (7 June), at AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester (kick-off 5.30pm). The side includes 12 players with previous experience at the flagship age-grade tournament, nine of which will start against Australia. Dalziel has also named two uncapped players on the bench in the form of lock Alex Craig, after good showings for the Scotland under-19 development squad and against France in the under-20’s recent training camp. Back-three option Cameron Gray, has also received a call-up following his performance in training on the build-up to the campaign. Head Coach John Dalziel said: “We’ve gone for an experienced team, which we feel has the right blend to execute our game plan, as well as dealing with the threats Australia will pose. “The squad have had a great build-up with the recent camp in Front Romeu, and they’re a tight group, who are now ready to get onto the field and represent their country.”Australia come into the Championship in very good form after their recent good performances against New Zealand. We’ve had a good look at their team and style of play, and we feel we have the ability to compete in all areas of the game.” Lock Scott Cummings will lead the team as captain, and will be joined in the second-row by Andrew Davidson. BT Sport Scottish rugby Academy player Lewis Wynne will make first appearance in a Scotland shirt since last year’s tournament as he starts wearing the six jersey, while the dynamic Matt Smith joins him in the back-row on the openside flank. Edinburgh Rugby’s Jamie Ritchie, who will be appearing in his third World Rugby Under-20 Championship, is named at number eight.Fully-capped internationalist Zander Fagerson packs down at tighthead prop, with Murray McCallum taking up the loosehead berth, and Jake Kerr starting at hooker to complete the pack.A fairly settled backline will see Hugh Fraser and Adam Hasting start as the half-back pairing, with Tom Galbraith and Rory Hutchinson being named in the midfield.Edinburgh Rugby’s Blair Kinghorn heads up the back-three at full-back, with Darcy Graham being selected to start on the right wing and Ben Robbins slotting in on the left flank. Scotland under-20 team to play Australia under-20 in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester(Kick-off 5.30pm)15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 14. Darcy Graham (Hawick) 13. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints) 12. Tom Galbraith (Melrose) 11. Ben Robbins (Currie) 10. Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby) 9. Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s) 1. Murray McCallum (Heriot’s) 2. Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir) 3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 4. Andrew Davidson (Newcastle Falcons) 5. Scott Cummings CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) 6. Lewis Wynne (Stirling County) 7. Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks) 8. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) Substitutes16. Lewis Anderson (Ayr) 17. Dan Elkington (Melrose) 18. Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University) 19. Alex Craig (Gloucester) 20. Ally Miller (Melrose) 21. Charlie Shiel (Currie) 22. George Taylor (Melrose) 23. Cameron Gray (Currie)