Rugby: Under-18s aim to lift national spirits in Madrid event

SCOTLAND under-18s head to Madrid today hoping to lift Scottish fortunes after struggles for all of the Six Nations squads.Along with 23 other teams, they are competing for the Justin Bridou Trophy in the FIRA-AER under-18 championship.

Scotland are in the elite group with Ireland, Portugal, England, Georgia, Wales, Italy and France. The Scots face the French this afternoon and the winner then takes on the winner of Ireland v Portugal on Tuesday 3 April with the final game on Saturday week.

Coach Eddie Pollock said: “There’s a good spirit in the squad. All the players were disappointed with the team performance at the weekend [Scotland lost 25-12 away to Ireland] but I’m sure we’ll respond.”

One young Scot will also feature for England in Madrid. Scott Wilson left Eyemouth High School for a final scholarship year at Sedbergh and has come through the English system having been snapped up at 14 by Newcastle. The tighthead prop played against Scotland in the recent 20-8 England win at Mansfield Park and, while he is not yet tied to England under the eligibility rules, there is a clear desire in England to keep him tied to the Rose until his senior career. His progress has also been followed by the SRU with coaches keen to see him switch to the navy blue.

Wilson qualifies for England because his mother was born over the border in Berwick and he has said he is in no rush to decide whether to go down the English or Scottish route.

Scotland squad: Forwards - James Malcolm (Hutchesons’ GS/GHA), Blair Jardine (Kilmarnock/Carrick Academy), Chris Barnes (HS of Glasgow/Glasgow Hawks), Ross Murray (Dollar/Stirling), D’arcy Rae (Kilmarnock), Robbie Tait (Millfield), Neil Irvine-Hess (George Watson’s College), Andrew Cramond (Royal High School/BATs), Duncan Campbell (Robert Gordon’s College/Mackie), Phil Cringle (Kirkham GS/Douglas), Tommy Spinks (Fettes), Cameron Simpson (Edinburgh Academy), Chris Dean (Edinburgh Academy), Cameron Turner (Robert Gordon’s College); Backs - Alex Glashan (Edinburgh Academy), Murdo McAndrew (Howe of Fife/Strathallan), Ben Cooper (Sedbergh School), Frankie Robson (Kelso HS/Kelso), Cameron Mackenzie-Lawrie (Warwick School), Ed Farquharson (Aberdeen Grammar/Cults Academy), Gavin Lowe (Ayr), Neil Herron (West of Scotland/Jordanhill School), Sam Pecqueur (Trinity Academy), Shaun MacDonald (Dunblane HS/Stirling), Callum Irvine (Harrogate), Sam Moncur (St Ambrose College/Sale Sharks).