Scotland Under 20s put faith in Watsonians loosehead as four changes made for Wales Six Nations clash

Scotland under-20 head coach Kenny Murray has backed “diligent and committed” loosehead prop Craig Davidson to be able to cope with the jump up in standard after selecting him to start on Friday evening versus Wales.

Davidson plays his club rugby for Watsonians in Tennent’s National League Division One - the second top amateur league in the country - and is now going up against players with experience in professional environments during the age-grade Six Nations. For example, the Wales tighthead Ellis Fackrell who he will be directly up against at Scotstoun Stadium is linked to the Ospreys, but Davidson showed up well off the bench on his under-20s debut in England last week and Murray has faith in him.

“Craig came on against England and did well in the second half, so he has taken his opportunity and he has trained really hard,” the head coach said. “He is a really bright, smart young guy and he is really diligent with what he does off the field and he is committed on the field. It is a big step up for him going from National League rugby to playing against guys that are used to playing at a lot higher level, but he has done a good job so far.”

Davidson replaces Matt Surry in the number one shirt, the Cardiff Met University player having strained his calf in training this week. Second-row Harris McLeod (back strain) and No.8 Jonny Morris (concussion) also miss out and are replaced by Ruaraidh Hart of Glasgow Hawks and Southern Knights’ Sam Derrick respectively. Like Davison, Hart is making a big leap from playing for his club’s second XV alongside the odd game in the Premiership with the firsts to international level.

Craig Davidson, pictured during a Scotland U20 Training Session at the Oriam, has been selected to start against Wales. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The fourth change to the starting XV that pushed England all the way last Friday before losing out 41-36 at the Twickenham Stoop sees Edinburgh Rugby Academy player Ben Evans picked ahead of Amena Caqusau on the wing. Robbie Deans, Johnny Rutherford and Logan Jarvie are added to the bench to take on a Wales team who lost their competition opener 44-27 to Ireland.

Scotland under-20 squad: Dan King; William Robinson, Duncan Munn (C-C), Kerr Yule, Ben Evans; Richie Simpson, Ben Afshar; Craig Davidson, Corey Tait, Callum Norrie, Jake Parkinson, Ruaraidh Hart, Liam McConnell (C-C), Rudi Brown, Sam Derrick. Subs: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Robbie Deans, Moby Ogunlaja, Eddie Erskine, Johnny Rutherford, Finlay Burgess, Geordie Gwynn, Logan Jarvie.