Scotland U20 call for Hastings and Shiel junior

New Scotland under-20 coach John Dalziel has called up 11 players with previous experience at the level into his 30-man training camp ahead of the Junior Six Nations.

Bath's Adam Hastings has been called into the Scotland U20 squad. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Dalziel has stepped up from assistant to head coach following Sean Lineen’s promotion to age-grade director and took charge of the squad for the first time yesterday at a two-day camp at BT Murrayfield.

Scotland enjoyed a successful tournament last year, finishing third with three home wins against Wales, Italy and Ireland.

Bath’s Adam Hastings and Currie’s Charlie Shiel, the sons of former internationalists Gavin and Graham respectively, are included for the first time and over half of the squad are BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy players.

Dalziel said: “The vast majority of the group have been exposed to a professional environment through involvement in the Academy, at the top-tier of the domestic game or at their respective exile clubs, which puts us in a good place.

“As a coaching and management group, we’ve been looking at these players across the season and are now ready to start moulding the squad we’re looking to carry into the forthcoming Six Nations.

“We’ve only got two days for our first camp and there’s a lot of work to be done. We are expecting the players to focus, and bring an energy and willingness to develop in the short space of time. This is a real chance for them to impress.”

Following the camp, which will include a bounce game against an Edinburgh XV, the squad will regather to prepare for their first game of the Six Nations against England on Friday 5 February at Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

They then face Wales and Italy away, before returning to Broadwood against France, prior to concluding their campaign at Ireland.

The Edinburgh duo of Jamie Ritchie and Blair Kinghorn and Glasgow prop Zander Fagerson are currently unavailable due to pro-team commitments.