U20 | Redpath names experienced side for Ireland clash

U20 | Redpath names experienced side for Ireland clash

Head Coach Bryan Redpath has named the Scotland U20 team to face Ireland U20 at Perpignan’s Stade Aime-Giral in the World Rugby U20 Championship 9th place Semi-Final this Tuesday (12 June, kick-off 3pm BST/ 4pm local time) – streamed live on worldrugby.org.

As the age-grade side seek their first victory of the 2018 Championship, the team selection sees the return of several experienced members of the playing squad, while only five players remain from the starting XV which faced England four days ago.

The inclusion of full-back Paddy Dewhirst is the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged back-three as Stirling County’s Logan Trotter reverts back his more familiar position of wing alongside Kyle Rowe, who keeps his place on the opposite flank after crossing the whitewash in last Thursday’s defeat to England.

In the midfield, captain Stafford McDowall returns to the starting lineup to partner Currie Chieftains’ outside-centre Cameron Hutchison, while a fresh half-back pairing sees stand-off Callum McLelland link up with Gloucester’s Charlie Chapman.

Ayr’s Robbie Smith once again gets the nod at hooker and will pack down next to Finlay Richardson and Leicester Tigers’ Sam Grahamslaw in the front-row, while a revamped lock pairing sees Jamie Hodgson return to the starting XV alongside Marshall Sykes.

Northampton Saints’ Devnante Onojaife is named at number eight with flankers Rory Darge and Martin Hughes forming the remainder of a combative back-row trio.

On his team selection, Redpath, said: “We competed well against England, but perhaps just ran out of gas in the second-half after such a physical opening 40 minutes.

“We obviously know Ireland well after facing them in the Six Nations. They’re a tough, direct side who we pushed all the way in Donnybrook four months ago. The boys know how intense the clash will be and we’ll have to match their intensity from the get go.

“The boys have trained well in the run up to the game. They’ve been positive and I’ve been really impressed with their mindset. We’ve chosen a strong, experienced side who we believe have the talent and attitude to get a positive result.”

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland U20 at Stade Aime-Giral in the World Rugby U20 Championship 9th Place Semi-Final this Tuesday 12 June (kick-off 3pm BST/ 4pm local time) – streamed live on worldrugby.org

15. Paddy Dewhirst (Ayr)*

14. Logan Trotter (Stirling County)*

13. Cameron Hutchison (Currie Chieftains)**

12. Stafford McDowall (Ayr)** CAPTAIN

11. Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Hawks)

10. Callum McLelland (Edinburgh)

9. Charlie Chapman (Gloucester)

1. Sam Grahamslaw (Leicester Tigers)

2. Robbie Smith (Ayr)**

3. Finlay Richardson (Edinburgh Accies)

4. Jamie Hodgson (Watsonians)

5. Marshall Sykes (St Joseph’s College)

6. Martin Hughes (Heriot’s)*

7. Rory Darge (Melrose)*

8. Devante Onojaife (Northampton Saints)

Replacements

16. Finlay Scott (Jed-Forest)*

17. Ross Dunbar (Boroughmuir)*

18. Murphy Walker (Strathallan School)*

19. Charlie Jupp (Heriot’s)*

20. Guy Graham (Newcastle Falcons)

21. Charlie Gowling (Stade Francais)

22. Ross Thompson (Glasgow Hawks)*

23. Fraser Strachan (Northampton Saints)

*BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy supported players 2017/18

**BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 players 2017/18

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