Zander Fagerson and Adam Hastings ready to battle French

Adam Hastings: Released by Bath for tonights match. Picture: SNS

Scotland Under-20 coach John Dalziel has been boosted by the return of professional pair Zander Fagerson and Adam Hastings as the team looks to continue its good progress against France at Broadwood tonight.

Glasgow Warriors tighthead Fagerson, who made his full Scotland debut off the bench in last month’s Calcutta Cup match, returns to the Under-20s, with whom he starred last season.

Hastings, who played in the Under-20s’ historic win over England at the start of the campaign, has been released by Bath, for whom he started the recent Aviva Premiership match against Exeter. He returns to the stand-off berth with Rory Hutchinson, a tryscorer in the 24-14 win against Italy, moving to outside-centre in place of George Taylor, who takes up a spot on the bench.

The Scots lie third in the table and will be looking to avenge the 40-3 defeat they suffered in Nevers, Burgundy, to the same opponents last year.

Jake Kerr has recovered from a leg injury to start at hooker in place of Lewis Anderson, while Callum Hunter-Hill is promoted from the bench to start at lock, with Andrew Davidson moving back to the blindside flank.

Dalziel said: “This weekend’s game is huge for us but knowing we’re back on our home patch is a big boost.

“We’ve made a few changes, but there is still an air of consistency at the core of the team, which we feel is  important.

“We’ve said all along that we need to keep building, and we stick by that, as we want to continue improving on our previous performances,”  added Dalziel.

“The French, as always, will be physical up front complemented by flair in the backs, but we’re looking forward to welcoming them.”

SCOTLAND U20: Ruairi Howarth (Gala); Ben Robbins (Currie), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Tom Galbraith (Melrose), Darcy Graham (Hawick); Adam Hastings (Bath), Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s); Murray McCallum (Heriot’s), Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Hawks, capt), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Hawks), Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks), Ally Miller (Melrose). Subs: Lewis Anderson (Ayr), George Thornton (Bishop Burton College), Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University), Stephen Ainslie (Currie), Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir), Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle Falcons), George Taylor (Melrose), Robbie Nairn (Harlequins).