Testing programme begins for Under-20s

Published on Thursday 31 January 2008 21:15

SCOTLAND'S U-20s tonight begin a demanding programme of ten Test matches when they take on France in Falkirk tonight in the opening round of the Six Nations U-20 championship.

After their remaining four matches in the Six Nations, the Scots will take part in the IRB World U-20 Championship in Wales in June.

Coach Colin Robertson, who takes over at U-20 level after a successful stint in charge of Scotland U-18s, knows that playing any French side in age grade rugby presents an enormous challenge, but he believes it is the proving ground for future international players. "The intensity in these matches is huge for young players," said Robertson. "It is how guys respond to it that is key, and how we as coaches get the best out of them."

Despite the return of wintry weather, Robertson hopes to see some running rugby. "It's perhaps good getting France first up in Scotland and in what is likely to be cold weather," he added. "We're taking a positive approach and hoping to spring a few surprises. The surface at Falkirk is certainly good for a handling game."

The Scotland side is based on the group who played in the IRB U-19 World Championship last year in Belfast. It is notably strengthened by the return from injury of skipper and openside flanker, Lewis Calder, the son of 1984 grand slam hero Jim Calder, and No 8 Jonny Baird, whose father, Roger, played on the wing for Scotland and the Lions.

In Belfast, Scotland played a tight game, but with three of the backs – Ruaraidh Jackson, Steve McColl and Chris Kinloch – all having boosted their confidence with strong performances for Scotland in IRB World Sevens Series tournaments in Dubai and South Africa December, there is a feeling that the young Scots can be adopt a more expansive game.

France have also based their squad on their IRB U-19 World Championship contingent, the notable player missing being scrum-half Morgan Parra, who is on the bench for the senior team. Behind a strong pack the main danger will come from the talented stand-off Mathieu Belie and the powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

Scotland U-20 (v France U-20 at Falkirk Stadium tonight. Kick-off: 7.30pm) M Allan (Loughborough University); T Bury (Boroughmuir), R Jackson (Glasgow Hawks), S McColl (Dunfermline), C Kinloch (Edinburgh Academical); J Murray (Leeds Carnegie), R Samson (Newcastle Falcons); G Strain (Glasgow Hawks), A Duncan (Stewart's-Melville FP), L Niven (Edinburgh Academical), J Brown (Bristol), N Patrick (Dunfermline), F McKenzie (Heriot's), L Calder (Newcastle (Falcons) captain, J Baird (Leicester University). Substitutes: F Brown (Biggar), A Dixon (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby), A Ferrier (Blackheath), C Charters (Hawick), S Burton (Currie), M Heeks (London Scottish), L Jones (Selkirk).

France U-20.From: Backs M Bastareaud (Stade franais), M Belie (Stade Toulousain), Y David (Bourgoin), Julien Dumora (Section paloise), Y Durquet (Stade montois), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), C Gimenez (Stade toulousain), T Lacrampe (Tarbes), A Thomas (Montpellier), A Timoteo (Oyonnax). Forwards: N Agnesi (Toulon), A Chollon (Bordeaux-Bgles), A Jaulhac (Brive), K Kervacec (Montpellier), R Lakafia (Grenoble), A Loubiere (Perpignan), C Maynadier (Albi), R Olive (Montpellier), C Ric (Clermont Auvergne), J Roidot (Biarritz), L Thuery (Stade toulousain), Y Vivalda (Perpignan).