Scotland U20 vs Italy U20

Seeking to avoid a whitewash at Calivasano, Scotland U20 have named a slightly changed XXII to take on Italy:

T Allan (Western Province); J Farndale (Edinburgh Rugby/ Edinburgh Accies), M Bennett (Clermont Auvergne), F Russell (Falkirk), M Crawley (Boroughmuir); H Leonard (Edinburgh Rugby), M McConnell (Glasgow Warriors); R Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby), F Scott (Currie), A Allan (Loughborough Students), A Sinclair (Stirling County), J Gray (Hamilton), M Eadie (Bristol Rugby), W Bordill (Sale Sharks), C Reid (Edinburg Accies).

Substitutes: G Turner (Edinburgh Rugby/Stewart's Melville), G Robertson (Dundee HSFP), A Redmayne (Dundee HSFP), J Swanson (Boroughmuir), J Bhatti (Stirling County), M Torrance (Ospreys), R Fergusson (Ayr), T Steven (Glasgow Hawks)

Adam Sinclair comes back into the boilerroom alongside 17yr old, younger brother of Richie, Jonny Gray, and Fergus Scott, younger brother of Matt is also fit again to take up the 2 shirt. Calum Reid gets a run out at 8, with Murray McConnell returned from 7s duty slotting in at 9.

Good to see McConnell start at 9. Presume Gray will move to Glasgow in a year or so. Rumours that he's just as good as his brother.

Scot Abroad, I've watched him in this year's U20 Championship and he has put in a decent shift for a 17-yr old, particularly in his position up against lads that 2-3 yrs older. Too early to say imo whether he'll be as good as his brother, but he does look promising

He -JG- is already on Warriors' books- probably regrets that now !

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:He -JG- is already on Warriors' books- probably regrets that now !

Anyone else getting the Vibe that 21st Century Schizoid Man is a wee bit agitated?

Nah, perfectly calm young man

An excellent comeback win, their first in this year's championship, for Scotland U20s. Despite being physically dominated in the pack all night long, superior fitness and skills told in the end. Trailing 17-9 with just minutes left in the game, the Young Scots finished with two fine tries from Harry Leonard and Mark Bennett. Plaudits should also go the tireless effort of Hislop in the front row, and Tommy Allan and Robbie Fergusson were also instrumental in dragging the game back, with both looking dangerous on the ball.

Final score: Italy 17 - 20 Scotland

Bodes well for the JWC and hopefull once again we'll have enough to avoid relegation from the top 12

Good effort from the youngsters - how did Mark Bennett play ?

He and Leonard looked a class apart from everyone on the pitch - its great that we've got young talent coming thru

Has he (Bennett)played for Clermont Auvergne since his comeback from injury ?

Only for the Espoirs, the academy team, I believe - just the one match and then he's been with our U20s

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Only for the Espoirs, the academy team, I believe - just the one match and then he's been with our U20s

He scored a cracking try in that Academy match though.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:He and Leonard looked a class apart from everyone on the pitch - its great that we've got young talent coming thru

Don't get too excited. I think Morrison has at least another 5 years in him.