ZANDER FAGERSON will provide the Scotland under-20s pack with some top-level experience when they take on France at Broadwood on Friday night (kick-off 8pm), after being selected for the age-grade side at tight-head prop just over a month after making his full international debut as a 69th minute replacement for WP Nel against England at Murrayfield..
The Glasgow Warriors man was at the crux of Scotland under-20’s third place finish in last year’s championship and their highest ever finish in the World Rugby under-20 Championships during the summer.
Jake Kerr has recovered from a leg injury to start at hooker in place of Lewis Anderson, while Murray McCallum, who has scored in each game this Championship, packs down at loosehead prop. Callum Hunter-Hill is promoted from the bench to start at lock, with Andrew Davidson moving to the blindside flank.
Adam Hastings has been released by his club, Bath Rugby, and will return to the side at stand-off for the first time since their historic 24-6 defeat of England, in the opening game of this year’s under-20s Six Nations campaign. That means Rory Hutchinson moves to outside-centre in place of George Taylor, who will sit on the bench.
“This weekend’s game is huge for us, but knowing we’re back on our home patch is a big boost, and adds to the excitement of the occasion,” said Dalziel.
“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.
“The French, as always, will be physical up front complemented by flair in the backs, but we’re looking forward to welcoming them and the challenge they’ll bring to Broadwood, in what should make for a great encounter.”
Scotland under-20 team to play France under-20 in the Six Nations Championship at Broadwood Stadium this Friday (kick-off 8pm) –
15 – Ruairi Howarth (Gala)
14 – Ben Robbins (Currie)
13 – Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
12 – Tom Galbraith (Melrose)
11 – Darcy Graham (Hawick)
10 – Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby)
9 – Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s)
1 – Murray McCallum (Heriot’s)
2 – Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir)
3 – Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
4 – Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)
5 – Scott Cummings CAPTAIN (Glasgow Hawks)
6 – Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Hawks)
7 – Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks)
8 – Ally Miller (Melrose)
Substitutes –
16 – Lewis Anderson (Ayr)
17 – George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)
18 – Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University)
19 – Stephen Ainslie (Currie)
20 – Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir)
21 – Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle Falcons)
22 – George Taylor (Melrose)
23 – Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)
This match will be live streamed on www.scottishrugby.org