Scotland under-20 team manager John Jeffrey welcomes back Stevie McColl for the side's final 6 Nations match against Italy at the Stadio Comunale on Friday evening (14 March, kick off 6.30pm) and says the players will be aiming to replicate the heroics shown by the senior squad last weekend.

McColl missed the defeat suffered at the hands of England last Friday after injuring his ankle during training.

But the 19-year-old Dunfermline back returned earlier than expected which Jeffrey attributes to the exemplary application he showed towards his recovery work.

Jeffrey said: "It is a big boost for the boys because Stephen has been a rock for this team over the past few years at under-18 and under-19 level.

He got an injury two weeks ago and was meant to miss this game, but he has shown such dedication towards getting fit during his rehab work he is back. His return has given all the boys a huge lift."

Jeffrey revealed the side received another inspirational boost ahead of the match after watching the senior team defeat England.

The former Scotland back rower says if the under-20 players can show the same level of determination in Mogliano then the team will finish the championship on a high note.

He added: I think the senior team set the tone last Saturday. What weve got to try to do is emulate the attitude and character shown by Scotland to win the Calcutta Cup.

If we can do that then we will beat Italy. The amount of tackles and the effort shown was phenomenal.

Under-19 international lock Richard Gray will start in the second row after Neale Patrick was ruled out with a calf injury and Jeffrey predicts the newcomer will add freshness to the front-five.

He said: Richie is a big lad and he has moved up. Both Richie and Paul Loudon were involved with the under-19s and a month ago they came over and beat Italy, so they know what it is like to come over and win. They bring freshness and confidence to the team.

Meanwhile, Craig Simmonds has been handed the No8 slot with Jonny Baird named amongst the replacements and Jeffrey believes the Heriots back rower will add physicality to the team.

He said: Whenever Craig has come on he has done very well. We think he adds bulk and go-forward to the pack.

Scotland under-20 squad (team sponsor Martin Currie) to play Italy at Stadio Comunale, Mogliano (Friday 14 March, kick-off 6.30pm)

15 Murray Allan (Loughborough University)

14 Lee Jones (Selkirk)
13 Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Academicals and National Senior Academy)
12 Stevie McColl (Dunfermline and National Senior Academy)
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 Richard Gray (Stirling County and National Senior Academy)
5 Josh Brown (Bristol)
6 Fraser McKenzie (Heriots and National Senior Academy)
8 Craig Simmonds (Heriots)
7 Lewis Calder (Newcastle Falcons)CAPTAIN

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

This article was posted on 14-Mar-2008, 08:12 by Hugh Barrow.