Six Nations U20s: Torrance starts and insists, “I’m so proud to play for Scotland”

Scotland will seek to reproduce the form that brought them two second-half tries against Wales two weeks ago when they face France in the third round of the Six Nations under-20 championship at Netherdale tonight.

These two scores, both in the last quarter and both by winger Jamie Farndale, were the result, among other factors, of the Scots’ ability to speed up their game, in no small way due to the appearance off the bench of the Ospreys-based scrum half Matt Torrance, who starts tonight in place of the unavailable Scott Steele.

South African-born Torrance, who has Welsh and Scottish parentage, could become the subject of a property battle between Wales and Scotland similar to the case of Steven Shingler. Wales made an investment, through the Ospreys, by signing the young scrum-half, leading to his inclusion on the stand-by list for the Welsh Junior World Championship squad last June.

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But Torrance seems content with his current status. “After the Welsh match Matty admitted he felt ‘totally Scottish’,” said Scotland under-20 coach Peter Wright, adding: “He’s a talented player, has a zippy pass and a great understanding of the game.”

Torrance says his desire to pull on the dark blue of Scotland has been with him long before he set his sights on making his career in rugby. He said: “I’m so proud to be starting at scrum-half for Scotland, very proud to be playing for Scotland.

“Although I’m playing full-time in Wales and grew up in South Africa, I’ve always thought of Scotland as my home nation. When I was young I thought about being able to play for Scotland. My dad is hugely proud.”

The other player who did much to add fizz to the Scotland attack off the bench was Falkirk stand-off Finn Russell. Tonight Russell, a Stirling County youth product, is at inside centre, adding creativity to the Scotland midfield.

Wright added: “I’m coming round to the idea of the second five-eighth [inside centre]. We need to develop ‘12s’. What we’re doing with this selection is looking ahead. You don’t necessarily need big centres. Wings can come into the 12 channel and carry ball.”

Despite winning the second half against Wales, Scotland lost 28-15 and tonight will chase their first win of the season against a France side confident after a 19-5 win over Italy at La Voulte in their rescheduled match last weekend.

Entry tonight is free.

Scotland U20s: S Hidalgo-Clyne (Scotland 7s/Heriot’s); J Farndale (Edinburgh/Edinburgh Accies), R Fergusson (Ayr), F Russell (Falkirk), M Crawley (Boroughmuir); H Leonard (Edinburgh), M Torrance (Ospreys); J Bhatti (Stirling County), G Turner (Stewart’s-Melville), A Allan (Loughborough Students), J Gray (Hamilton), A Sinclair (Stirling County), M Eadie (Bristol), W Bordill (Sale), J Swanson (Boroughmuir). Substitutes: R Anderson (Gala), G Robertson (Dundee HSFP), A Redmayne (Dundee HSFP), C Reid (Edinburgh Accies), C Maguire(Berwick), M McConnell (Glasgow Warriors), J Bradford (Nottingham), T Steven (Glasgow Hawks).

France U20s: M Payen (Perpignan); D Domvo (CABBG), B Fuster (Bayonne), J Danty (Stade Francais), Y Artru (Montpellier); E Selponi (Montpellier), T Ecochard (Perpignan); F Fresia (Toulon), J-C Fidine (Clermont Auvergne), K Goze (Grenoble), J Aliquat (Montpellier), B Chalureau (Toulouse), A Placines (Biarritz), J Kazubek (Clermont Auvergne), K Chateau (Toulouse). Substitutes: R Carbou (Perpignan), S Taofifenua (Perpignan), J Poirot (Brive), P Jedrasiak (Clermont Auvergne), J Yobo (Stade Aurillacois), E Escande (Montpellier), I Perraux (Montpellier), K Galletier (Montpellier).