Scotland U20s: Callum Norrie has exams coming up but faces big test against Italy

Schoolboy Callum Norrie will soon have exams of the written kind coming up, but for now he is continuing to face up to tests on the rugby field with the Scotland under-20s.

Scotland's Callum Norrie during the Six Nations Under-20 match against England at the DAM Health Stadium last month. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

This evening (7pm UK time, live on BBC iPlayer) 18-year-old tighthead prop Norrie will look to make an impact when he comes off the bench in the Stadio Comunale Di Monigo in Treviso against what will be a physical Italy outfit.

It is round four of the age-grade Six Nations and the young Scots are still looking for their first win in this year’s competition.

Norrie is the only member of the matchday 23 who is still at school, but the Strathallan pupil is learning all the time and has a big future ahead of him.

The Howe of Fife product, who only turned 18 in January, said: “At first when I was thinking about the calibre of players I’d be up against before the tournament the nerves were there, but as soon as you are on the pitch you have a job to do and like any game you have ever played there are two sets of posts and a rugby ball out there.

“The last few weeks have definitely been a challenge, but I have been learning the real technicalities of the tighthead position and I have taken on lots of knowledge and I am enjoying testing myself and being part of this team.”

For the game, Gregor Hiddleston, Tim Brown and Ben Evans have joined the Scotland starting XV while Innes Hill and Keiran Clark could debut from the bench.

Scotland under-20s: Robin Mc Clintock; Ross McKnight, Duncan Munn, Andy Stirrat, Ben Evans; Christian Townsend, Murray Redpath; Michael Jones, Gregor Hiddleston, Gregor Scougall, Josh Taylor, Max Williamson, Matthew Deehan, Tim Brown, Rhys Tait (C). Subs: Duncan Hood, Ali Rogers, Callum Norrie, Rudi Brown, Innes Hill, Jed Gelderbloom, Thomas Glendinning, Keiran Clark.