With the news that Iain Kennedy and Stephen Biggart are in the Scotland under 21s this now makes nine Hawks on international duty in Dublin.
Six(Mike Adamson,Stewart Smith,Murray Strang,Sandy Warnock,Richie Maxton,Steven Duffy) in the Club International plus Andy Henderson

BEATTIE AND BARCLAY REUNITED FOR UNDER-21s
Posted: 08/Mar/06
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Glasgow Warriors’ John Beattie and John Barclay will be reunited on Friday night as they line up for Scotland Under-21 against Ireland, completing an exciting back row alongside Edinburgh Gunner Alan MacDonald.

Beattie will make his first Six Nations start this year having recently recovered from a bout of glandular fever that kept him out of all three matches so far in the championship. Barclay returns following a head knock sustained against Wales Under-21 in Newport last month.

The inclusions in the back row are two of five changes, including one positional, made to the side that lost 49-22 to England in Falkirk. Ben Addison switches from wing to full-back while Newcastle Falcons’ winger Cameron Johnston comes in on the right of field.

Johnston, renowned for his pace, has been honing his skills with Scotland 7s having earned his fifth sevens caps at the recent IRB USA Sevens in Los Angeles, where Scotland won the bowl. Warriors’ apprentice Iain Kennedy is restored to the starting line-up at inside centre.

Coach Iain Paxton said: “This is the back row that we were hoping to have right from the start but unfortunately it wasn’t possible. Hopefully they’ll produce the level of performance they are capable of and we’ll benefit from the experience they’ve gained from their pro-teams.

“We’ve made a few changes and tinkered a bit. Garry Law was unavailable having damaged his knee cartilage against England. It’s a pity but means we can look at one or two options with the world championships coming up.

“Cameron has been playing well for Scotland 7s and he’s got real gas so we’re keen to look at him. The changes on the bench have come through feedback from coaches and having watched players recently at club level. We’re casting the net before we head to Vichy for the championships in June,” he added.

On the opposition, Paxton said: “Obviously we’ve only beaten Ireland once at this age-group and that was last year [16-8 at Falkirk Stadium]. They’ll be tough and I’m sure they’ll look to get stuck in about us but I feel we have got a team that is capable of winning.

“Having looked back over the video from our game against England, we’ve highlighted two or three tackle situations we failed in. We need to take a lead from the senior team’s defence against England and if we can secure that area, we have the ability in attack to win games,” he added.

Scotland Under-21 team to play Ireland in Athlone in the shadow Six Nations on Friday 10 March, kick-off 7.30pm

15 Ben Addison (Stirling County and Central Institute of Sport)

14 Cameron Johnston (Newcastle Falcons)
13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Gunners, Currie and Scottish Institute of Sport)
12 Iain Kennedy (Glasgow Warriors, Glasgow Hawks and West of Scotland Institute of Sport)
11 Lee Kibble (Border Reivers, Biggar and East of Scotland Institute of Sport)

10 Dave Blair (Sale Sharks) CAPTAIN
9 Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forest)

1 Ryan Grant (The Army)
2 Sean Crombie (Aberdeen GSFP and Grampian Institute of Sport)
3 David Young (Leicester Tigers)
4 James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors, Ayr and West of Scotland Institute of Sport)
5 Ian Nimmo (Leicester Tigers)
6 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Institute of Sport)
8 John Beattie (Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Institute of Sport)
7 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh Gunners and Scottish Institute of Sport)

Substitutes

16 Andrew Reekie (Currie)
17 Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh Gunners, Boroughmuir and East of Scotland Institute of Sport)
18 Scott Newlands (Heriot’s and East of Scotland Institute of Sport)
19 Calum Forrester (GHA and West of Scotland Institute of Sport)
20 Stephen Biggart (Glasgow Hawks)
21 James King (Border Reivers, Melrose and East of Scotland Institute of Sport)
22 Chris Dunlop (Durham University)

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This article was originally posted on 8-Mar-2006, 11:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 8-Mar-2006, 11:19.