Scotland under-20 team manager John Jeffrey admits his side face a colossal test when they lock horns with 6 Nations leaders England at Falkirk Stadium on Friday evening (7 March, kick off 7.30pm) but hopes the players will rise to the challenge.

England are at the summit of the under-20 6 Nations standings after winning their opening three games while Scotland have endured three defeats.

But Jeffrey, who captained Scotland's senior team to Calcutta Cup glory 20 years ago, is hoping to see an improved performance from the players and a positive

Jeffrey said: "It is a challenge, but if you want to prove yourself then you need to test yourself against the best.

We are setting our stall out to face the best team in the championship and planning to ask a few questions of them by hopefully rising to the challenge.

The table doesnt lie; we are bottom of the table, but it doesnt reflect the improvements in our performances.

England are the best team in the championship; they have beaten everyone else and deservedly so. They have got a structured team in place and they have got physical size."

One attribute of the English players that has been identified is their sheer physicality and Jeffrey acknowledges Scotland are preparing for a gruelling examination in Falkirk.

He added: In terms of their physique, England have advanced dramatically over the past two years. Quite a lot of them are exposed regularly to Guinness Premiership rugby, so physically it is a huge challenge.

This is the final chapter of the 6 Nations for us. We have got England at home which is a huge test and then Italy away which is always a huge challenge, so we are aiming to finish brightly.

On the injury front, Scotland under-20 head coach Colin Robertson has been hit with two injury blows with both talented centre Stephen McColl (ankle) and winger Johnny Smart (quad) ruled out through injury.

Meanwhile, Ross Samson returns to the starting line-up at scrum half and Biggar hooker Fraser Brown is set to make his first start for the under-20 team.

On the bench, Paul Loudon steps up from the under-19s to take his place amongst the replacements.




Scotland under-20 squad (team sponsor Martin Currie) to play England at Falkirk Stadium (Friday 7 March, kick-off 7.30pm)

15 Murray Allan (Loughborough University)

14 Lee Jones (Selkirk)
13 Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Academicals and National Senior Academy)
12 Steven Wilson (Dundee HSFP)
11 Tom Bury (Boroughmuir and National Junior Academy)
10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Hawks and National Senior Academy)
9 Ross Samson (Newcastle Falcons)

1 Gary Strain (Glasgow Hawks and National Junior Academy)
2 Fraser Brown (Biggar),
3 Lewis Niven (Edinburgh Academicals)
4 Neale Patrick (Dunfermline)
5 Josh Brown (Bristol)
6 Fraser McKenzie (Heriots and National Senior Academy)
8 Jonny Baird (Watsonians)
7 Lewis Calder (captain, Newcastle Falcons)

Substitutes: Adrian Duncan (Stewarts-Melville FP and National Senior Academy), Angus Dixon (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby), Craig Simmonds (Heriots), Steven Burton (Currie), Matthew Heeks (London Scottish), James Murray (Leeds Carnegie and Edinburgh Academicals), Paul Loudon (Durham University)

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This article was posted on 5-Mar-2008, 20:57 by Hugh Barrow.