Scotland under-18 head coach, Eddie Pollock has made two changes to the squad that held Wales to a draw until the visitors crossed the line in the closing minute last Sunday at Braidholm.

Into the mix come Phil Cringle and Robbie Tait, as Pollock looks to give as many players as possible the opportunity to show what they can do, in the build-up to selection for the FIRA tournament in Madrid in two weeks’ time.

Pollock said: “Obviously we still want to win games but the purpose of the games against Wales and England is to see as many players as we can in action and identify a team for Madrid, by the time we get to the last home nations game, away against Ireland, next weekend.”

Scotland put up a strong performance against their Welsh counterparts in their opening game of the season, crossing the line twice with tries from wingers Shaun MacDonald and Ed Farquharson, the conversion by stand-off Ben Cooper.

Pollock added: “We were pleased with the performance and have a chance, this week, to see more players starting before we field a near-final team against Ireland.”

The team for Sunday will be posted on the SRU web site prior to Sunday’s fixture.

Scotland under-18 squad v England under-18, Mansfield Park, Hawick, Sunday 18 March, kick-off 2pm 
Forwards
1. James Malcolm (Hutchesons’ Grammar / GHA)
2. Blair Jardine (Kilmarnock / Carrick Academy)
3. Chris Barnes (HS of Glasgow / Glasgow Hawks)*
4. Ross Murray (Dollar / Stirling County)
5. D’arcy Rae (Kilmarnock)*
6. Robbie Tait (Millfield)
7. Neil Irvine-Hess (George Watson’s College)*
8. Andrew Cramond (Royal High / BATS)
9. Buchan Richardson (Wellington College)
10. Phil Cringle (Kirkham GS / Douglas)
11. Tommy Spinks (Fettes College)
12. Joe Jones (Merchiston Castle)
13. Cameron Turner (Robert Gordon’s College)*

Backs
1. Alex Glashan (Edinburgh Academy)*
2. Murdo McAndrew (Howe of Fife / Strathallan)
3. Ben Cooper (Sedbergh School)
4. Callum Irvine (Harrogate)
5. Frankie Robson (Kelso HS / Kelso)
6. Cameron Mackenzie-Lawrie (Warwick School)
7. Ed Farquharson (Aberdeen Grammar / Cults Academy)
8. Gavin Lowe (Ayr)*
9. Ramsay Young (George Watson’s College)*
10. Neil Herron (West of Scotland / Jordanhill School)*
11. Sam Pecqueur (Trinity Academy)
12. Shaun MacDonald (Dunblane HS / Stirling)*
13. Grant McConnell (Millfield)

This article was posted on 15-Mar-2012, 21:23 by Hugh Barrow.