Scotland under-18 head coach Eddie Pollock today named a 23-man squad to face England in the age-grade’s first competitive outing this Sunday (9 March, 12 noon).

All 23 players in the squad have been selected from the successful Scotland XV under-18 side that cruised past their counterparts – Scotland Under-18 Districts – on the Murrayfield back pitches a fortnight ago (53-0).

The match against England is scheduled for Laigh Bent, the home of Hamilton RFC, however a pitch inspection tomorrow (Tuesday 4 March) will determine if is to be relocated.

Pollock said: “We’ve reselected the team following a strong performance at Murrayfield.

"It’s a very talented group of players and we’re now just looking forward to playing England.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to show us what they can do.

“England are the top team in Europe at this age-grade, and have been for the past three or four years.

“We always look to play them first as part of our preparations for the FIRA European Championships because, not only is Scotland v England a massive fixture, it allows us to take on the biggest challenge available to help us get up to speed as quickly as possible.

We want to get the players to realise the level they need to be at if they want to play international rugby for Scotland.”

Forwards: Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks RFC), Murray McCallum (Strathallan / Dunfermline RFC), Callum Sheldon (Queen Elizabeth School / Newcastle Falcons), Gary Robertson (Gala Wanderers RFC), Lewis Anderson (Marr College / Ayr RFC), Jake Kerr * (George Watson’s College / Watsonians FC), Stephen Ainslie * (Loretto School / Berwick RFC), Andrew Davidson (Kelvinside Academy / Glasgow Hawks RFC), Jamie Ritchie * (Strathallan / Howe of Fife), Ally Miller * (George Watson’s College / Watsonians FC), Lewis Wynne (Stirling County RFC), Scott Burnside * (Heriot’s FP RFC), Matthew Smith (Stirling High School / Stirling County RFC)

Backs: Hugh Fraser * (Merchiston Castle School), Andrew Manson (Stewart's Melville College), Adam Hastings (Millfield School), Rory Hutchison (MPW Cambridge / Shelford RFC), Josh Laird (Strathallan School / Kirkcaldy RFC), George Taylor (Loretto School / Melrose RFC), Ben Robbins (George Watson’s College), Reuben Norville (St. Pauls (London)/London Irish), Robbie Nairn * (George Watson’s College / Currie RFC), Ruari Howarth (Gala Wanderers RFC)

This article was posted on 3-Mar-2014, 22:59 by Hugh Barrow.