Six changes to Scotland U20 team for USA encounter

Group A Match Between Scotland vs Zimbabwe

Murray has made six changes to his starting 15, with an equal split between the forwards and the backs.

The front row sees Robbie Deans make his first appearance this campaign, coming in for Craig Davidson who moves to the replacements bench. He is joined by Callum Norrie who will again start as tighthead. Corey Tait comes in as starting hooker after an impressive shift off the bench against Zimbabwe. An unchanged second row brings Eddie Erskine (who scored twice against Zimbabwe) and Jake Parkinson back into the boiler room. The back three only sees one change, with Jonny Morris replacing Sam Derrick – who moves to the bench – at Number 8. Co-captain Liam McConnell and Jonny Smith continue in the flanker positions.

The dynamic half-back pairing of co-captain Ben Afshar and Andrew McLean remains.

Finn Douglas will once again start on the wing, this time joined by Logan Jarvie who comes in to replace Gerodie Gwynn who is out due to injury. After a solid performance against Zimbabwe, Findlay Thomson earns his first start as centre alongside Ben Salmon. Dan King will once again don the fullback jersey.

The replacements bench consists of a five-three split, with Finn Duraj, Craig Davidson, Oliver Minnis, Ruaraidh Hart and Sam Derrick covering the forward pack and Hector Patterson, Kerr Yule and Matt Reid in place to support the backs.

Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “We were really pleased to bag our first win of the tournament and get off to a good start.

“The players showed some strong performances against Zimbabwe, especially in the first half. We obviously had a period where we took our foot off the gas in the second half, so there were a lot of learnings to take from that 15-minute window.

“The USA are a strong and physical team and with this quick turnaround between matches, we must make sure we capitalise on every opportunity.”

All matches will be available to watch here.

Scotland U20 team to face USA U20 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday 20 July (kick off 12pm BST, 2pm local time)

15. Dan King (Heriot’s Rugby)

14. Logan Jarvie (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
13. Ben Salmon (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
12. Findlay Thomson (Watsonians)
11. Finn Douglas (Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby)

10. Andrew McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
9. Ben Afshar (Ayrshire Bulls) CO-CAPTAIN

1. Robbie Deans (Watsonians/Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Corey Tait (Boroughmuir Bears)
3. Callum Norrie (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
4. Eddie Erskine (Bath Rugby/Bath University)
5. Jake Parkinson (Ealing Trailfinders)
6. Liam McConnell (Boroughmuir Bears/Edinburgh Rugby) CO-CAPTAIN
7. Jonny Smith (Harlequins)
8. Jonny Morris (Watsonians/Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements

16. Finn Duraj (Watsonians)
17. Craig Davidson (Watsonians)
18. Oliver Minnis (Hartpury University)
19. Ruaraidh Hart (Stirling Wolves/Glasgow Warriors)
20. Sam Derrick (Southern Knights)
21. Hector Patterson (Watsonians/Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Kerr Yule (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)
23. Matt Reid (Watsonians)