Young Sale Sharks centre Jonny Kennedy has returned to the Scotland under-20 frontline as they prepare to face Italy in the third match of the 6 Nations campaign in Sardinia on Friday (26 February, kick-off 2pm GMT).
Kennedy was ruled out of the 20-12 loss to Wales after he picked up a shoulder injury in the 8-8 opener against France however, having been given the all clear, the youngster is ready to bring his trademark physicality back to bolster the Scottish backs.
He said: "I can't wait to get out there with the boys again. Having played against France I can honestly say that the under-20s are one of the best sides in terms of team spirit that I have ever played in.
"My physicality is one of my biggest features, especially tackling and running with ball in hand, but communication is a big thing in rugby and something which, along with my experience of professional rugby, I hope I can bring to the team.
"We're going out there to win. That's our mentality. They're a good team but we've got to beat them."
Kennedy's return means James Johnstone (Currie) moves to the bench in place of Callum McBurnie (Moseley) while Hawick prop Nicky Little earns a starting slot ahead of George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks) who moves to the bench.
Having come through a mentally tough 8-8 draw with France and a 20-12 defeat to Wales - despite being two tries a-piece - Scotland under-20 head coach, Eamon John, is confident his players have what it takes to do the Italian job.
"There's a real buzz in the squad after having a week off. It's been good to have them all back in. Training has gone well this week and we're looking forward to Friday.
"It's not going to be easy. Italy are a different side at home but we feel that we have the players and the game to go out there and get the right result."
Scotland team to play Italy, Capoterra, Sardinia, Friday 21 February (kick-off 2pm GMT)
15 Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies)*
14 Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors)
13 Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks)
12 Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*
11 Dougie Fife (Currie)**
10 Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies)*
9 Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie)
1 Nicky Little (Hawick)*
2 Alun Walker (Currie)
3 Colin Phillips (Stewart's-Melville)**
4 Matthew Reid (Heriot's)
5 Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*
6 Michael Maltman (Heriot's)**
8 Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Watsonians)*
7 David Denton (Edinburgh Accies)*
Replacements
16 Lindsey Gibson (Melrose)
17 George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks)
18 Aaron Hall (Newcastle Falcons)
19 Callum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish)
20 Kris Hamilton (Caithness)**
21 Matthew Scott (Currie)**
22 James Johnstone (Currie)*

This article was posted on 24-Feb-2010, 11:19 by Hugh Barrow.