Sean Lineen has announced his 29-man Scotland U20 training squad ahead of the forthcoming U20 Six Nations campaign.
Scotland’s campaign begins away at Ireland on Friday 31st January before they host England, who also announced their squad a few days ago, on Friday 7th February. They then travel to Italy and Wales either side of hosting France on Friday 6th March.
Eleven of the squad have featured for the U20s in last year’s tournament, including last year’s captain, Watsonians’ Connor Boyle.
Six players in the squad ply their trade south of the border, including Archie Smeaton, the back rower featured for Cambridge University in the Varisty Match prior to Christmas. He is joined in the pack by former Sedbergh pupil Jack Hill, currently at Durham University, as well as Alex Maxwell of Stourbridge RFC, and Sale Sharks’ Ewan Ashman, who is on loan at Edinburgh.
In the backs Newcastle Univeristy’s Callum Grieve is called up, as is Bristol Bears’ Nathan Chamberlain, currently on dual registration with Hartpury College, who played a big part in last year’s U20 programme.
Speaking to Scottish Rugby on the announcement of his squad, Sean Lineen said:
“We have selected a good group of players, some of whom were involved in last year’s programme and we’re excited to see them progress along with the new additions. This is an important year for the U20 squad and after some good preparations, where we will play two FOSROC Super6 sides in Watsonians Rugby and Ayrshire Bulls in planned sessions, the boys will be ready to face Ireland in the Six Nations opener at the end of January.”
“There will still be opportunities to add to the squad throughout January for a number of players who are currently out injured and who impress the coaching staff ahead of the tournament.”
Lineen’s statement that this is an important year for the Scotland U20 squad is absolutely true, last year Scotland finished last in the World Rugby U20 Championships and were therefore relegated to the World Rugby U20 Trophy for 2020. Only winning that competition will see them return to the elite competition for the 2021 season, so it will be a vital campaign for this young group.
Scotland U20 Six Nations Training Squad
Forwards (16):
Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks)
Connor Boyle (Watsonian Rugby)
George Breese (Stirling Wolves)
Gregor Brown (Boroughmuir Bears)
Jamie Campbell (Biggar)
Dan Gamble (Heriot’s Rugby)
Rory Darge (Southern Knights)
Cameron Henderson (Stirling County)
Jack Hill (Durham University)
Rory Jackson (Ayrshire Bulls)
Rory Jackson (Watsonians Rugby)
Thomas Jeffrey (Jed Forest)
Alex Maxwell (Stourbridge RFC)
Cairn Ramsay (Currie Chieftains)
Robbie Simpson (Edinburgh Academicals)
Archie Smeaton (Cambridge University)
Backs (13):
Jack Blain (Heriot’s Rugby)
Nathan Chamberlain (Hartpury College/Bristol Bears)
Matthew Currie (Watsonians Rugby)
Roan Frostwick (Watsonians Rugby)
Callum Grieve (Newcastle University)
Jacob Henry (Southern Knights)
Scott King (Heriot’s Rugby)
Robbie McCallum (Boroughmuir Bears)
Kyle McGhie (Boroughmuir Bears)
Rufus McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
Scott Robeson (Heriot’s Rugby)
Cameron Scott (Boroughmuir Bears)
Ollie Smith (Ayrshire Bulls)
