Scotland U21 coach Iain Paxton has included two Warriors in his starting line-up for their first match in the U21 World Championship in France.

James Eddie and John Barclay start for Scotland , while Iain Kennedy is on the bench.

The match against Australia which takes place in Vichy on Friday night is a repeat of the opening tie in last year's tournament. It was a close encounter during which the Scots grew in stature but the southern hemisphere side held on to win 28-22.

Since arriving on Saturday night, the squad has been training in sunny conditions with temperatures in the mid-twenties and rising. Paxton is pleased with the way the players have come together and is confident they are ready for the challenge ahead.

"We've had five training sessions together and we're happy with the way things are going. Most of the guys are aware of what we want from them having played in the Six Nations and the newer players have picked everything up really well so we’re confident everyone is familiar with what we're trying to do.

"We know Australia will be tough as half their squad is involved in the Super 14, so they'll be fast, fit and skilled but if our boys play to their potential and we get in about them, then we’ll certainly give them a game."

Scotland U21 team to play Australia in the IRB U21 World Championship
at Vichy, France on Friday 9 June (kick-off 7.00pm local time, 6pm BST)

15 James King (Border Reivers and Melrose)
14 Ben Addison (Stirling County) **
13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Gunners and Currie) *
12 Garry Law (Border Reivers and Hawick)
11 Lee Kibble (Border Reivers and Biggar )
10 David Blair (Sale Sharks) (CAPTAIN)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forest)

1 Ryan Grant (The Army)
2 Sean Crombie (Aberdeen GSFP) **
3 David Young (Leicester Tigers)
4 James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors and Ayr)
5 Ian Nimmo (Leicester Tigers)
6 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh Gunners) *
8 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) *
7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Gunners and Stewart’s Melville FP) **

Substitutes:

16 Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh Gunners and Boroughmuir) **
17 Innes Brown (Stirling County) **
18 Allan Kelly (Hillhead/Jordanhill) **
19 Scott Newlands (Heriot's) **
20 Murray Bringhurst (Watsonians) **
21 Iain Kennedy (Glasgow Warriors and Glasgow Hawks)
22 Cameron Johnston (Newcastle Falcons) *

* indicates member of Scottish Institute of Sport
** indicates member of an area Institute of Sport

Scotland's fixtures:
Friday 9 June Australia v Scotland Vichy, kick-off 7pm (local time)
Tuesday 13 June Italy v Scotland Vichy, kick off 5pm
Saturday 17 June England v Scotland Riom, kick off 6pm
Wed 21 June semi-final play-offs tbc
Sunday 25 June finals for overall places tbc
Comments

This article was posted on 8-Jun-2006, 11:43 by Hugh Barrow.