Scotland have named their squad for the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Championships.

Head Coach John Dalziel has named a 28-man squad for the tournament, which takes place in Georgia from the 31^st May to the 18^th June, with 16 forwards and twelve backs.

Three players could make their debuts, Ross Dunbar, Thomas Gordon, and the former Uppingham School pupil, Arichie Erskine, now at Newcastle Falcons. They will be joined by three further players who did not appear in the U20 6 Nations earlier this year, due to senior club commitments, Patrick Anderson, Edinburh star Blair Kinghorn, and Erskine’s Newcastle Falcons teammate, Ruaridh Dawson.

Dawson and Erskine are two of seven Scottish Exiles in the squad, alongside Gloucester’s Alex Craig, Worcester Warriors’ Tom Dodd, and Bishop Burton College’s George Thornton in the pack, and Wasps’ Connor Eastgate and Harlequins’ Robbie Nairn in the back division.

Scotland are in Pool B in the group stages, where they will meet seasoned finalists New Zealand, last year’s finalists Ireland, and Italy.

Speaking to Scottish Rugby, Dalziel said:

“We’ve picked a well-rounded squad, which has grown together through their experience of the recent Six Nations. The team showed that they are capable of producing some very good rugby but need to be more consistent. Finding that 80-minute performance will be key to our overall showing in the World Championship. “

“Selection is only the start for these players, and we have a lot of work to do between now and the competition. In order to get the most out of the tournament, we need full commitment from everyone given the opportunity to don the shirt.”

“We’re up against three quality sides in our pool, with the games made even more difficult taking into account the tight turnaround. The group has learned from their experience on this stage previously, and we’ll look to take that understanding into this year’s tournament. The competition will be play a vital part in these players’ development in the long-term and we’re excited to get started in a few weeks’ time.”

Scotland U20 Squad:

Forwards

Hamish Bain (Currie)

Fergus Bradbury (Stirling County)

Alex Craig (Gloucester)

Luke Crosbie (Currie)

Tom Dodd (Worcester)

Ross Dunbar (Boroughmuir)

Archie Erskine (Newcastle Falcons)

Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks)

Bruce Flockhart (Glasgow Hawks)

Thomas Gordon (Currie)

Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)

Adam Nicol (Stirling County)

Fraser Renwick (Hawick)

Robbie Smith (Ayr)

George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)

Daniel Winning (Boroughmuir)

Backs

Patrick Anderson (Melrose)

Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle Falcons)

Connor Eastgate (Wasps)

Darcy Graham (Hawick)

Josh Henderson (Glasgow Hawks)

Robert Kay (Heriot’s)

Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby)

Stafford McDowall (Ayr)

Ross McCann (Melrose)

Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)

Charlie Shiel (Currie)

Andrew Simmers (Heriot’s)

Scotland Fixtures at the World Rugby U20 Championships:

Wednesday 31^st May – New Zealand, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (KO 1pm/10am BST)

Sunday 4^th June – Ireland, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (KO 1pm/10am BST)

Thursday 8^th June – Italy, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (KO 1pm/10am BST) 

Tuesday 13^th June – Semi-finals and knock-out matches

Sunday 18^th June – Final and knock-out matches