U18 Men team named for second round of festival

Two of those changes are positional, with Ben McDonald and Rory Baxter staying in the starting team in new roles.

Michael Scarth starts at loosehead prop, with Jack Nesbitt continuing at hooker and Archie Smellie coming in at tighthead prop to make up the front row.

James Dalrymple captains the team and starts in the second row alongside Oliver Richardson.

Rory Baxter moves from blindside flanker to number 8, with Hamish Mather at blindside flanker and Bradley Bohmer at openside both coming into the starting team from the bench.

Coel Pettet returns at scrum-half will link up with Lochlan Glackin in the half-backs.

Finlay Anderson keeps his spot at inside centre, with Ben McDonald moving to outside centre from the wing. Murray Waugh is on the left wing and Samuela Lawaci the right, and the team is rounded off by Alexander Sneddon who remains at full-back.

Cooper Simpson has joined the squad out in Vichy, and is named on the bench.

Simpson joins James Roberts, Zak Burgess, Daniel Shellard, Angus Abel and Rowan Walsh to make up the forwards replacments, while Olly McKenzie, Angus Robson, Charlie Robbie, Ruaridh Law and Rhuari Hill are the backs replacements.

Head Coach Ross Miller said: “We’ve reflected on the first game and we’re pleased with chunks of we did, with some bits we’re obviously not so happy about, and we’ve worked this week on trying to improve those. We trained with Ireland yesterday, and that was really good.

“This is another chance for the players to test themselves and improve. We’ve rotated the squad a little bit, it’s important that players get the opportunity to start a game but also coming off the bench is a really important skill for them to learn as most of these players would be regular starters in their club environments.

“Italy are a good attacking side, they like to move the ball, they have a good offloading game and some very quick players. They’ve got an aggressive pack and a solid set-piece, so we’re expecting another physical encounter.”

Scotland Men U18 team to play Italy U18 at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon tomorrow (kick off 10am BST) – live on YouTube

15. Alexander Sneddon
14. Samuela Lawaci
13. Ben McDonald
12. Finlay Anderson
11. Murray Waugh

10. Lochlan Glackin
9. Coel Pettet

1. Michael Scarth
2. Jack Nesbitt
3. Archie Smellie
4. James Dalyrymple – Captain
5. Oliver Richardson
6. Hamish Mather
7. Bradley Bohmer
8. Rory Baxter

Replacements

16. James Roberts
17. Zak Burgess
18. Cooper Simpson
19. Daniel Shellard
20. Angus Abel
21. Rowan Walsh
22. Olly McKenzie
23. Angus Robson
24. Charlie Robbie
25. Ruaridh Law
26. Rhuari Hill