SCOTLAND UNDER-20S NAMED FOR 6 NATIONS DECIDER
Wednesday, 18 March 2009


Scotland under-20 coach Eamon John has made one change to his side to play England in what could be an RBS 6 Nations decider at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester on Friday (20 March, kick-off 8pm) – LIVE ON SKYSPORTS 3 AND SKYSPORTS 3 HD.
Championship front runners Scotland, France and Ireland all travel for their last game of the tournament, and make their bid for the title on an equal standing having each won three games out of four thus far.
Sitting in third place, Scotland must defeat the English on their own patch if they’re to have a chance of winning the RBS 6 Nations under-20 title – a feat which has always eluded Scotland at under-20 and the old under-21 level.
In fact it took Scotland three years since the re-categorisation of the age-grades to win an RBS 6 Nations fixture – that elusive first success coming in the opening game of this year’s competition against Wales (18-17) at McDiarmid Park.
France have a tough test away from home against a strong Italy side unfortunate not to have a win under their belts at this stage in the competition while Ireland also face a difficult journey to Parc y Scarlets to face Wales.
John said: “We need to stay focussed on what has made us successful so far in the competition. We’re confident. Our track record of performing, which our support has witnessed, is what gives us confidence.
“This is a fresh challenge and a fresh opportunity to meet that new challenge and win things. I want this team to continue to make the measured improvements that we’ve been making so far in this tournament.
“This team have set a benchmark for future under-20 sides already but it’s up to us to go on the road and get the win away from home.”
On the prospect of facing a strong English side with plenty of professional experience, John added: “England are a good side and will be hurting right now after their loss to Ireland and they’ll be looking to win as much as we will.”
John has made just one change to the side that defeated Ireland (35-10) at McDiarmid Park last Friday with Northumbria University’s 6’2” winger Adam McKenzie coming in as a straight swap for Scotland 7s internationalist Grant Anderson.
Scotland under-20 team to face England at the Sixways Stadium, Worcester on 20 March (kick-off 8pm)
15 Robbie McGowan (Stirling County)
14 Paul Loudon (Durham University and Edinburgh Academicals) VICE CAPTAIN
13 Ashleah McCulloch+ (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby)
12 Robbie Johnston (Leeds University and Leeds Carnegie)
11 Adam McKenzie (Northumbria University)
10 Andrew White+ (Glasgow Hawks)
9 Henry Pyrgos (Loughborough University)
1 Gavin Cameron+ (Boroughmuir)
2 Finlay Gilles+ (Heriot’s)
3 David Morton (Bridgwater)
4 Nick Campbell+ (Glasgow Hawks)
5 Richard Gray (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN
6 Struan Dewar+ (Heriot’s)
8 Stuart McInally* (Watsonians)
7 Chris Fusaro* (Heriot’s)
Replacements
16 Ryan McConnell+ (Peebles)
17 Douglas Orr+ (Haddington)
18 James Taylor (Loughborough University and Dundee HSFP)
19 Tom Drennan+ (Edinburgh Academicals)
20 Peter Jericevich* (Glasgow Hawks)
21 Peter Horne* (West of Scotland)
22 Grant Anderson* (Ayr)

This article was originally posted on 18-Mar-2009, 19:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 18-Mar-2009, 19:24.