Scotland have named their side for their U20 6 Nations opener against Wales at Parc Eirias on Friday night.
The 8.15pm kick off in Colwyn Bay sees Scotland Head Coach Stevie Scott name just two players in the starting XV that played in last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship.
Those players are the centre pairing of Mark New and Stafford McDowll, who will be the vice-captain on Friday night. Skippering the side is Ayr hooker Robbie Smith.
Kaleem Barreto and Callum McLelland form the half back pairing, with Paddy Dewhirst at full back and Glasgow Hawks’ Kyle Rowe on the left wing. His clubmate, and former Leicester Tigers academy star Sam Yawayawa is on the right wing.
Yawayawa is one of a number of current or former English based players, including two in the back row, Northampton Saints’ former Stowe star Devante Onojaife at number 8 and former Uppingham bullock Archie Erskine at blindside flanker. Hawick’s Guy Graham is at openside.
The final Exile in the side is Racing 92’s Ewan Johnson, he is partnered by Jamie Hodgson, with Shaun Gunn and Finlay Richardson either side of the skipper Smith in the front row.
The bench sees plenty of players from all over the globe, Ealing Trailfinders’ Bradley Clements covers hooker, while Nathan McBeth, currently with the Lions from South Africa, covering loosehead. Covering tighthead is a schoolboy, Murphy Walker of Strathallan School.
Another English based player, Harry Butler of Hartpury College, covers the second row, with Rory Darge in the number 20 shirt. Covering the backs are Gloucester’s Charlie Chapman, Glasgow Hawks’ Ross Thompson, and his clubmate and former Wellington College star, Rory McMichael.
Speaking to Scotland Rugby ahead of the game, Head Coach, Stevie Scott said:
“The squad have trained well this week and we’re looking forward to the fixture. We’ll travel to Colywn Bay with the right mind set and intensity. We know Wales are an experienced and physical outfit, but I’ve got no doubt that if we match their levels of desire, and show a real grit and determination, then we’ll be able to compete.”
Scotland U20 XV v Wales U20: Friday, 8.15pm, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay – Live on BBC 2 Wales
15 Paddy Dewhirst (Ayr), 14 Sam Yawayawa (Glasgow Hawks), 13 Mark New (Glasgow Hawks), 12 Stafford McDowell (Ayr, vc), 11 Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Hawks), 10 Callum McLelland (Edinburgh Rugby), 9 Kaleem Barreto (Marr), 1 Shaun Gunn (Edinburgh Accies), 2 Robbie Smith (Ayr, captain), 3 Finlay Richardson (Edinburgh Accies), 4 Ewan Johnson (Racing 92), 5 Jamie Hodgson (Watsonians), 6 Archie Erskine (Boroughmuir), 7 Guy Graham (Hawick), 8 Devante Onojaife (Northampton Saints).
Replacements: 16 Bradley Clements (Ealing Trailfinders), 17 Nathan McBeth (Lions), 18 Murphy Walker (Strathallan), 19 Harry Butler (Hartpury College), 20 Rory Darge (Melrose), 21 Charlie Chapman (Gloucester), 22 Ross Thompson (Glasgow Hawks), 23 Rory McMichael (Glasgow Hawks).
