Scotland U-20s: Sean Lineen shuffles pack

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 15/03/2013 01:52

SCOTLAND Under-20s coach Sean Lineen has made four changes to his starting line-up as his side aim for a historic ­triumph in Brive on Sunday.

The under-20s side have never experienced victory on French soil. In fact, Scotland have never got the better of France at under-21 or under-20 level in 22 matches going back to 1993.

Their best result was an 8-8 draw in 2010, a game that featured Scotland’s Test debutant tomorrow, Grant Gilchrist, as well as Rob Harley and David Denton.

Lineen hands Ayr’s Robbie Fergusson his second start of the tournament, while Jamie Bhatti, the Stirling County prop, Perpignan lock Adam Sinclair and London Scottish flanker Tommy Spinks all return to the pack.

Lineen acknowledged that, having followed the senior side’s pattern with defeats against England and Wales book-ending victories over Italy and Ireland, the challenge of returning to winning ways this weekend was a tough one.

“We want to right a few wrongs,” he said. “It was disappointing after three strong performances to lose the way we did against Wales.

“We know France are a very good side, with some quality individuals, and the key factors will be to keep our discipline and not give our opponents any space to threaten. The players are geared up and desperate to make amends.”

Scotland U20: R Young (Edinburgh Accies); D Hoyland (Boroughmuir), R Fergusson (Ayr), M Bennett (Glasgow), R Hughes (Scotland 7s); T Allan (unatt), A Price (Bedford Blues); J Bhatti (Stirling County), R Anderson (Gala), D Rae (Ayr), A Sinclair (Perpignan), J Gray (Glasgow, capt), T Spinks (London Scottish), W Bordill (Sale Sharks), A Ashe (Glasgow). Subs: R Kennedy (Stirling), Shawn Muir (Hawick), P Cringle (Edinburgh), R Leishman (Stirling), A Henderson (Boroughmuir), S Steele (Leicester), C Auld (Gala), S Pecquer (Edinburgh Accies).