Scotland and France have named their teams for Wednesday’s U18 6 Nations Festival clash at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The two meet in the final fixture of the day, at 5pm, following England v Italy and Wales v Ireland. Both arrive having won their opening games of the tournament, Scotland enjoying a brilliant comeback to beat England, a side that previously beat them 64-0, by 32-27, while France beat host nation Wales 22-14.
Scotland have made ten changes from the side that beat England. Stewart’s Melville’s Connor Boyle keeps his place at openside flanker and takes over the captaincy, while Strathallan second row Cameron Henderson also keeps his place.
In the front row Peebles’ Thomas Jeffrey holds on to his spot, so too Stewart’s Melville wing Jack Blain, who scored against England at the weekend. Merchiston Castle’s Rufus McLean was on the right wing on Saturday, he moves to full back for this one.
His move from wing to full back allows Dulwich College’s Femi Sofolarin to start on the right wing after his brace against England. He is joined by fellow Scottish Exiles Dan Lancaster and Kristian Kay in the half back positions. Stowe’s Kay starts at scrum half, while Bishop Burton College’s Dan Lancaster, who kicked the winning points against England in a fine substitute performance, starts at outside half.
Another Exile, Henley College’s Alex Pleasants is at tighthead, while Hymers College’s Archie Smeaton makes it five Exiles in the starting fifteen for Scotland, he is at number 8.
There are further Exiles on the bench, Brooksby Melton College’s Alex Maxwell, Sedbergh’s Jack Hill, SGS Filton College’s Nathan Chamberlain, and St Peter’s York’s Charlie Hudson.
France, meanwhile, have made eleven changes from the side that beat Wales last time out. Dridi moves from wing to full back, with Espuet also moving out one, from inside centre to outside centre.
In the second row Vanvenberghe retains his place and takes over the captaincy for the game, with Hamonou the only other player to keep his place in the France U18 side. He moves from number 8 to the 6 shirt, the openside flank in France.
Scotland U18 v France U18: Wednesday 4th April, 5pm, Cardiff Arms Park
Scotland U18 XV:
15 Rufus McLean (Merchiston Castle), 14 Femi Sofolarin (Dulwich College/Harlequins), 13 Matthew Currie (Merchiston Castle), 12 Paul Cunningham (George Watson’s College), 11 Jack Blain (Stewart’s Melville College/Stewarts Melville RFC), 10 Dan Lancaster (Yorkshire Carnegie/Bishop Burton College), 9 Kristian Kay (Stowe/Wasps), 1 Thomas Jeffrey (Peebles), 2 Scott Clelland (Ayr), 3 Alex Pleasants (Henley College/Wasps), 4 Cameron Brown (Kelso), 5 Cameron Henderson (Strathallan), 6 Gavin Wilson (Dumfries Saints), 7 Connor Boyle (Stewart’s Melville College/Stewart’s Meville RFC, captain), 8 Archie Smeaton (Yorkshire Carnegie/Hymers College).
Replacements: 16 Rory Jackson (Edinburgh Academy), 17 Alex Maxwell (Brooksby Melton College/Leicester Tigers), 18 Daniel Gamble (Kelso/Merchiston Castle), 19 Tom Morris (Dollar Academy), 20 Jack Hill (Sedbergh), 21 Jamie Dobie (Merchiston Castle), 22 Nathan Chamberlain (Bristol/SGS Filton College), 23 Scott Robeson (George Heriot’s), 24 Rory Darge (Borders College/Melrose), 25 Robbie McCallum (Loretto), 26 Charlie Hudson (St Peter’s, York).
France U18 XV:
15 Dridi, 14 Bertschy, 13 Costosseque, 12 Espuet, 11 Hulleu, 10 Deleuze, 9 Viallard, 1 Baggiani, 2 Lachaud, 3 Ndiaye, 4 Bousquet, 5 Vanverberghe (captain), 6 Maravat, 7 May, 8 Hamonou.
Replacements: 16 Jutge, 17 Eglaine, 18 Warion, 19 Joseph, 20 Brosset, 21 Falatea- Moefana, 22 Dolhagaray, 23 Montagne, 24 Peysson, 25 Fusier, 26 Zabalza.
U18 6 Nations Festival Schedule: Saturday 31st March to Sunday 8th April
Matchday 1 – Saturday 31st March, Ystrad Mynach (Centre of Sporting Excellence)
Scotland U18 32-27 England U18
Wales U18 14-22 France U18
Ireland U18 20-17 Italy U18
Matchday 2 – Wednesday 4th April, Cardiff Arms Park
Italy U18 v England U18 – 12pm
Ireland U18 v Wales U18 – 2.30pm
France U18 v Scotland U18 – 5pm
Matchday 3 – Sunday 8th April, Cardiff Arms Park
Ireland U18 v Scotland U18 – 12pm
Italy U18 v Wales U18 – 2.30pm
France U18 v England U18 – 5pm
Previous U18 results this season:
Scotland 30-32 Wales
Scotland 0-64 England
Wales 14-42 England
France 27-5 England
Ireland 20-39 France
Italy 18-5 France ‘B’