Scotland U20 side named to face Italy

Scotland U20 side named to face Italy

Head Coach John Dalziel has made just one personnel change to his starting Scotland U20 side to face their Italian counterparts in the final Pool B game of the World Rugby U20 Championship tomorrow at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi, Georgia (kick-off 10am local/1pm BST) – live on worldrugby.org. The change comes in the back-row where Tom Dodd comes in to make his first start of the tournament.As a result of Dodd’s inclusion, Luke Crosbie switches from the openside to blindside flank, and Matt Fagerson moves from number eight to don the seven jersey.Dalziel said: “Tomorrow’s game is a huge opportunity for this group to win two pool stage games for the second year in a row and guarantee a top eight finish in the competition.”The group gave everything in the game against Ireland, and that was reflected in a performance full of pride in the jersey. It was a display of true grit, with the players battling in difficult conditions to earn the victory.”Italy are hugely physical and will also be hunting their second victory in the competition, so it’s going to be a highly competitive contest. We need to maintain our standards and continue to build on last weekend’s victory if we’re to come out on top.”Blair Kinghorn remains at full-back with Darcy Graham and Robbie Nairn – both who scored against Ireland – continuing on the wings.Stafford McDowall and Ross McCann – who finished off a memorable length of the field try in his last outing – are named as the centre pairing, with Andrew Simmers and Connor Eastgate combining as the half-backs.Try-scorer against both New Zealand and Ireland, Fraser Renwick, makes his third competition start at hooker, while George Thornton and Adam Nicol complete the front-row.Captain Callum Hunter-Hill and Alex Craig make their third consecutive start together in the second-row, while Fagerson, Crosbie and Dodd form as the back-row.Scotland U20 team to play Italy U20 at AIA Arena, Kutaisi, in the World Rugby U20 Championship, tomorrow (Thursday 8 June, kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) – live on worldrugby.org15. Blair Kinghorn14.Robbie Nairn**13. Ross McCann**12. Stafford McDowall**11. Darcy Graham 10. Connor Eastgate9. Andrew Simmers 1. George Thornton2. Fraser Renwick**3. Adam Nicol**4. Alex Craig5. Callum Hunter-Hill CAPTAIN**6. Luke Crosbie**7. Matt Fagerson**8. Tom Dodd? Replacements?? 16. Robbie Smith**17. Fergus Bradbury*18. Ross Dunbar**19. Hamish Bain**20. Archie Erskine21. Charlie Shiel**22. Josh Henderson**23. Patrick Anderson*  *BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy supported player?**BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy stage 3 player

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