Scotland Under-18 Squad Announced For Border Battle With French

Taking their first breaks and passes into the world of international rugby, Scotland’s under-18 side will be warming up for the forthcoming under-18 6 Nations festival with a series of fixtures over the next three weeks, kicking off on Sunday (14 March) in Selkirk against their French counterparts. The fixtures mark the end of a two-year cycle for the age-grade squad, who first came together to compete – and emerge victorious – at last year’s under-17 Millfield Festival. Says head coach Grant McKelvey: The aim of these games for these guys is to promote themselves and show that they have the potential to be competitive at the next level. Adds McKelvey: The matches this month will be the first time any of these players will have played full internationals and the management team has been working to support them throughout the selection process, to ensure they know exactly what’s expected of them mentally and physically. In line with Scottish Rugby’s match policy, entry to Sunday’s game is free, allowing supporters to see some of Scotland’s best young talent for nothing. And they’re definitely worth watching. This year’s under-20 squad, who defeated Italy away recently, cut their teeth at this age grade while breaking into the national side, having come through the programme, are current national squad members including John Barclay, Alan MacDonald and Richie Gray. Scotland U18 to face France U18 at Philiphaugh (kick-off 3pm) FORWARDS Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers) ** Alex Allen (Sedbergh School) Gavin Robertson (Earlston HS / Melrose Wasps) Fraser Watt (East Kilbride) Ryan Hood (Strathallan) George Turner (Stewart’s Melville College) Fergus Scott (Currie) Andrew Redmayne (Kilmarnock) Mitch Eadie (Filton College) William Kay (Boroughmuir) Lawrie Seydak (Edinburgh Academy) Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle) Ben Johnstone (Stewart’s Melville College) Adam de Ste Criox (Boroughmuir) Rory Sutherland (Hawick Wanderers) BACKS Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland)* James Stevenson (Whitgift) Harry Leonard (Brighton College) Stuart Hogg (Heriot’s)** Mark Bennett (Cumnock RFC) * Jack Bradford (Worksop College) Sam Knudson (Aberdeen GS) Michael Crawley (Stewart’s Melville College) Harris Jones (Boroughmuir)* Doug Day (Paviours RFC) Jamie Urquhart (Stirling County) Aidan McCall Hagan (West of Scotland) * Member of National Academy supported by AIS (Area Institute of Sport) ** Member of National Academy supported by Scottish Rugby   Scotland under-18 fixture dates 2010 14 March Scotland under-18 v France under-18, Selkirk RFC (kick-off 3pm) Free entry 21 March Scotland under-18 v Wales under-18, Melrose RFC (kick-off 3pm) Free entry 28 March Scotland under-18 v Leeds Academy, West Park, Leeds (kick-off 2.30pm) 2 to 10 April – International Festival in Wales Friday 2 April Scotland under-18 v England under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm) Tuesday 6 April Scotland under-18 v Italy under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm) Saturday 10 April Scotland under-18 v Ireland under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm)