Scotland Under-21 coach Iain Paxton today named his 26 man squad ahead of the IRB Under 21 World Championship in Mendoza, Argentina from 9-25 June.

The Scots have been seeded ninth for the tournament and will face Australia, Wales and Canada in the pool stages.

Paxton has brought in two new names to the squad that competed in the recent shadow Six Nations competition where they achieved their highest ever finish with victories over Ireland, Italy and England.

Aberdeen GSFP’s tight-head prop Moray Low joins the squad as does Glasgow Hawks’ utility back Michael Adamson. On the two players Paxton said: “We heard about Moray through Caledonia’s rugby development manager Colin Robertson during the Six Nations. I went to see him play and was impressed so we brought him in for last week’s trial match and some scrummaging sessions. Tight-head is an area that we’ve had to work hard on and I’m pleased with how he’s doing.

“Unlike Moray, Michael has been involved with the age-grade set up at U18A and U19 level as well as Scotland Sevens so we are familiar with his ability. He struggled with injury earlier in the season but we recognised his utility value and played him in the trial match. Again he impressed us, having controlled the game and opened options at both stand-off and full-back,” he added.

Paxton took the opportunity to openly thank the new national management team for their co-operation in allowing The Borders’ professional front-row Ross Ford to be part of the squad. He said: “Frank Hadden and his management team have kindly allowed Ross to take part in what will be his last age-grade tournament. It is good of them and it means that we will have Ross’ experience and talent in Argentina. Two seasons playing pro-rugby have developed him into a fine player and I am pleased he is involved.”

Watsonians’ flanker Neil Cochrane will lead the side in the world championships, following on from his captaincy during the Six Nations. Paxton said: “We’ve been very pleased with Neil’s leadership and the results have certainly been encouraging. This will present another challenge for him as we will be away for a longer period of time but I am quite sure he will respond admirably.”

Paxton is comfortable that he has named the strongest 26 players at under-21 level and only Newcastle Falcons’ lock Stuart Walker was unavailable for selection due to a continuing ankle injury. The coach said: “We have a very good group of players and I am confident they will gel together and perform for their country.

“Performing is key for us. We need to keep progressing in world rugby and the results from the Six Nations showed that we are. The last thing we want to do is stand still or go back – this is a difficult competition but it is a talented team and we need to keep moving forward,” he added.

Paxton is fully aware that this tournament will provide a challenge for his young charges but he is looking forward to taking on Australia, Wales and Canada in Mendoza. On the forthcoming opposition Paxton said: “There is no such thing as an easy draw in the world championships because of the standard of competition.

“As an under-21 side, we know that Australia will be well prepared and skilful. The majority of their players will be involved with rugby academies of Super 12 sides so they will have talent. We know a lot more about Wales having played them this season. The first 20 minutes of that game in Aberdeen were the worst we produced but it taught us a lesson about ourselves and we have gained a lot from that.

“Canada are something of an unknown quantity at under-21 level but they too will be well prepared both physically and mentally. They’ll provide a different type of opposition for us but we are ready for that and looking forward to the challenges ahead,” he concluded.

The competition will take place in Mendoza, Argentina, from 9-25 June and comprises all members of the Six Nations, the three Southern Hemisphere heavyweights, hosts Argentina, and Samoa and Canada. Before the players and six-strong management team depart, they will spend a weekend with the Royal Marines at the Condor base near Arbroath to hone both physical and teamwork skills.

FORWARDS
Willie Blacklock (Hawick), Stuart Corsar (Aberdeen GSFP & Grampian Institute of Sport), Stuart Fenwick (Ayr), Moray Low (Aberdeen GSFP), Ross Ford (The Borders & Scottish Institute of Sport), Stevie Lawrie (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), James Eddie (GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Ian Nimmo (Heriot's & Tayside and Fife Institute of Sport), Sean Tomes (Newcastle Falcons), Neil Cochrane (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport) CAPTAIN, John Beattie (GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Scott Forrest (Glasgow Hawks & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Alan MacDonald (Heriot's & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Colin White (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport)

BACKS
Alasdhair McFarlane (GHA), Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forrest), David Blair (Sale Sharks), Ben Cairns (Currie & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Iain Kennedy (GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Garry Law (Hawick & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Nic De Luca (Heriot's & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Ben Addison (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport), Michael Adamson (Glasgow Hawks), Brian Archibald (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport), Douglas Flockhart (Currie), Alan Nash (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)

This article was posted on 9-May-2005, 12:22 by Hugh Barrow.