Sean Lineen’s youngsters looking to long term

SCOTLAND’S crop of under-20 talent has the opportunity 
tonight to spark another successful international weekend, but individuals are also looking at more lucrative long-term personal goals.

Tommy Allan, the nephew of former Scotland and South Africa hooker John, has come through the Western Province academy set-up in Cape Town, but returned to the land of his roots to push his case with the age-grade sides. He has earned the pivotal stand-off role with the under-20s and took another step in his development with a fine try and goal-kicking display against Italy a fortnight ago in a comfortable Scotland victory and will shortly be looking for a new club.

His opportunities to develop in Scotland appear slim, however, with Edinburgh currently trying to develop Harry Leonard, Gregor Hunter and Piers Francis and Glasgow housing Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Weir and Scott Wight. But English and French clubs are understood to be watching young Allan’s progress.

Under-20s head coach Sean Lineen said: “We have some great young players coming through, with the ability to make the step up into professional careers, but who does make it comes down to who is prepared to work the hardest, grab the chances that come in games like this and push on in 
a career.

“It starts here with the recognition that success comes from playing their part in a good 
Scotland team, and not trying to do it all themselves, but the attitude of these boys has been excellent. They have trained well and they are desperate to show that that win against Italy was not a one-off. Hopefully, we get a really big crowd at Gala to cheer them to another good win.”

The challenge tonight is a stiff one against an Ireland side coming off the back of a 16-15 win over England, after a narrow defeat to Wales (17-15). Lineen has also lost his man of the match against Italy – centre Mark Bennett – to Glasgow’s midfield for tonight’s PRO12 match with Ulster, so Robbie Fergusson comes in at centre, with Ruaridh Young handed a chance at full-back. Gala hooker Russell Anderson is ruled out with a knee injury, so Callum Black comes into the front row and GHA hooker James Malcolm to the bench. Alex Henderson makes his first start on the blindside flank.

Ireland coach Mike Ruddock welcomes back Darragh Leader at full-back and stand-off Steve Crosbie returns from injury.

Scotland U20: 15 Ruaridh Young (Edinburgh Accies), 14 Damien Hoyland (Boroughmuir), 13 Chris Auld (Gala), 12 Robbie Fergusson (Ayr), 11 Rory Hughes (Scotland 7s/Stirling County)

10 Tommy Allan (unattached), 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh/Heriot’s), 1 Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County), 2 Callum Black (Edinburgh Accies), 3 Phil Cringle (Edinburgh/Stewart’s-Melville FP), 4 Adam Sinclair (Perpignan), 5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow/Currie) capt, 6 Alex Henderson (Boroughmuir), 7 Will Bordill (Sale), 8 Adam Ashe (Glasgow/Stirling County).
Subs: 16 James Malcolm (GHA), 17 Shawn Muir (Hawick), 18 D’arcy Rae (Ayr), 19 Ruaridh Leishman (Edinburgh Accies), 20 Tommy Spinks (London Scottish), 21 Ali Price (Bedford), 22 Alex Hagart (Aberdeen Grammar), 23 Keith Buchan (Boroughmuir).

Ireland U20: 15 Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht), 14 David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht), 13 Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster), 12 Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), 11 Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), 10 Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 9 Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) capt, 1 Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster), 2 George McGuigan (Newcastle), 3 Chris Taylor (Malone/Ulster), 4 Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster), 5 John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster), 6 Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster), 7 Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster), 8 Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster). Subs: 16 John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster), 17 Ryan Furness (Worcester), 18 Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht), 19 Jerry Sexton (St. Mary’s/Leinster), 20 Eoghan Masterson (Clontarf/Leinster), 21 John Creighton (Malone/Ulster), 22 Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht), 23 Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster).