Head Coach John Dalziel has made six changes – four personnel and two positional – as Scotland under-20 prepare to face their French counterparts at Broadwood tonight (kick-off 20.00) – live on www.scottishrugby.org.

Zander Fagerson returns to the under-20 squad at tighthead prop, after receiving a full international cap in Scotland’s opening game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against England, where he replaced WP Nel in the 69th minute.

The Glasgow Warriors man was at the crux of Scotland under-20’s third place finish in last year’s championship and their highest ever finish in the World Rugby under-20 Championships in the Summer.

With Hastings donning the number 10 shirt, try-scorer against Italy, Rory Hutchinson, moves to outside-centre in place of George Taylor, who takes up a spot on the bench.

Further changes sees Jake Kerr, who has recovered from a leg injury, start at hooker in place of Lewis Anderson, while Callum Hunter-Hill is promoted from the bench to start at lock, with Andrew Davidson moving back to the blindside flank.

Head Coach John Dalziel said: “This weekend’s game is huge for us, but knowing we’re back on our home patch is a big boost, and adds to the excitement of the occasion.

“We’ve made a few changes, but there is still an air of consistency at the core of the team, which we feel is important.

“We’ve said all along that we need to keep building, and we stick by that, as we want to continue improving on our previous performances.

“The French, as always, will be physical up front complemented by flair in the backs, but we’re looking forward to welcoming them and the challenge they’ll bring to Broadwood, in what should make for a great encounter.”

Ruairi Howarth, Darcy Graham and Ben Robbins continue as the back-three unit, while Tom Galbraith joins Hutchinson in midfield, and Hugh Fraser makes his third consecutive start at scrum-half to partner the incoming Hastings.

Murray McCallum, who has scored in each game this Championship, packs down at loosehead prop joining Fagerson and Kerr.

Captain Scott Cummings continues in the boiler-room alongside Hunter-Hill, while man-of-the-match against Italy, Ally Miller, starts at number eight, alongside Matt Smith and Davidson in the back-row.

On the bench, Newcastle Falcons scrum-half Ruaridh Dawson will make his debut for Scotland under-20 if he is called upon from the bench.

Scotland under-20 team to play France under-20 in the Six Nations Championship at Broadwood Stadium this Friday (kick-off 8pm) – live streamed on www.scottishrugby.org

15. Ruairi Howarth (Gala)
14. Ben Robbins (Currie)
13. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
12. Tom Galbraith (Melrose)
11. Darcy Graham (Hawick)
10. Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby)
9. Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s)
1. Murray McCallum (Heriot’s)
2. Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir)
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)
5. Scott Cummings (c) (Glasgow Hawks)
6. Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Hawks)
7. Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks)
8. Ally Miller (Melrose)

Replacements

16. Lewis Anderson (Ayr)
17. George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)
18. Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University)
19. Stephen Ainslie (Currie)
20. Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir)
21. Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle Falcons)
22. George Taylor (Melrose)
23. Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)

Hastings returns for Scotland U20

Related News