U20 | Scottish Rugby announce U20 coaching team

Former Edinburgh Rugby forwards coach Stevie Scott has been appointed as the age grade side’s head coach, whilst Nikki Walker and Ben Fisher have been named as attack and defence coaches respectively.

On his appointment as head coach, Scott said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead a talented Scotland U20 side and I’m excited to work alongside two of Scottish rugby’s most promising young coaches in Nikki Walker and Ben Fisher.

“We’ve already had two productive training days with the squad and the boys have looked really sharp. We’re now fully focused on preparing for the first game of next year’s Six Nations in Wales.”

Scott’s coaching career began in 2006 with Borders side Selkirk, before he spent three years as a coach with Scottish Rugby’s national academy.

Following a four-month period as Edinburgh Rugby’s interim head-coach, Scott was appointed as the capital club’s forwards coach in the summer of 2013, where he remained until his departure at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Joining the former hooker are coaches Nikki Walker and Ben Fisher.

Walker – a two-time Pro 12 Champion with the Ospreys – joins Scott’s coaching team having led Borders side Hawick to safety in last season’s BT Premiership. The 35-year-old former Scotland international will oversee the U20 attack.

A recipient of the Macphail scholarship in 2012, New Zealand-born Fisher has coached Scotland age-grade sides at U16, U17 and U18 levels. The former Boroughmuir star – who worked as an assistant coach to John Dalziel during last year’s U20 campaign – will head-up the defence.

On the coaching trio’s appointment, Head of National Age Grade Sean Lineen, said: “We’re delighted to announce the Scotland U20 coaching team.

“Stevie Scott brings a wealth of experience to role of head coach. Ben Fisher has impressed mightily during the last two seasons, whilst Nikki Walker will bring his own brand of energy and innovation.

“Under their tutelage, we’ll look to build on the work of the last few seasons.”

Scotland U20 will play two home fixtures during next season’s U20 Six Nations. The age-grade side will first face France at Cumbernauld’s Broadwood Stadium on Friday 9 February (kick-off 7.45pm), before hosting England at Myreside on Friday 23 February (kick-off 7.30pm).

Tickets for both matches are on sale now. Scotland Season Pass holders can access these matches as part of their Season Pass membership and should look out for an email with details of how to claim their seat(s). Both matches will be unreserved seating.