Scotland U20 team named for Ireland opener

Scotland U20 Head Coach Sean Lineen has named his side to face Ireland in the opening round of the Under-20 Six Nations tomorrow afternoon at Cardiff Arms Park (Saturday 19 June, kick-off 2pm) - live on BBC iPlayer and RTÉ One.

Alex Samuel will captain Scotland from the second row as the age-grade side look to get their Championship off to a strong start.

Due to the condensed nature of the tournament the match-day squad will consist of 26 players, with eight substitutions permitted during the game.

Of the 26 names in the match-day squad 17 are supported by the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy, with 10 of the starting team Contracted Academy players aligned to Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors.

Alex Samuel takes the ball down from a lineout during a training session earlier this year. (SNS/Scotish Rugby)

Samuel will be joined in the second row by Max Williamson, who were both invited to train with the Scotland senior squad earlier this year during the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.

Patrick Harrison will start at hooker where he will pack down alongside Cole Lamberton and Olly Frostick.

In the backrow Archie Smeaton will start at blindside flanker with Harri Morris taking the openside flank. Ben Muncaster pulls on the No 8 jersey to complete the pack.

Behind the scrum Murray Redpath has been selected at scrum-half to partner Cameron Scott at stand-off.

Elliot Groulay and Scott King are the starting center partnership. Finlay Callaghan and Michael Gray line up on the wings, with Ollie Melville at full-back.

Ahead of the opening fixture of the Under-20 Six Nations, Head Coach Sean Lineen said: “It’s been a new and exciting squad for us to work with this year, with every player putting their hand up for selection.

“We know that Ireland will be a clever and physical side who will look to get their opportunities in early. Our team know their individual roles and what they must do to get us off to a good start.

“We arrived in Cardiff earlier this week and the final preparations have gone well. The boys are ready to go.”

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland on Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff (kick-off 2pm)

15. Ollie Melville* (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)

14. Finlay Callaghan* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)
13. Scott King* (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)
12. Elliot Groulay (Sale Sharks)
11. Michael Gray*(Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)

10. Cameron Scott* (Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby)
9. Murray Redpath (Newcastle University)

1. Cole Lamberton* (Watsonians Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Patrick Harrison* (Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby)
3. Olly Frostick (Ealing Trailfinders)
4. Max Williamson* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
5. Alex Samuel* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN
6. Archie Smeaton (Cambridge University)
8. Ben Muncaster* (Watsonians Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Harri Morris (Southern Knights)

Replacements
16. Jamie Drummond* (Ayrshire Bulls)
17. Michael Jones* (Boroughmuir Bears)
18. George Breese* (Stirling Wolves)
19. Euan Ferrie (Glasgow Hawks)
20. Rory Jackson* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)
21. Ollie Leatherbarrow (Exeter University)
22. Rhys Tait (Southern Knights)
23. Ethan McVicker (Melrose Rugby)
24. Christian Townsend* (Ayrshire Bulls)
25. Thomas Glendinning* (Glasgow Hawks)
26. Ross McKnight* (Stirling County)