JOHN DALZIEL has made four personnel changes for Scotland under-20s’ last game of the Six Nations Championship against Ireland this Friday (kick-off 7.35 pm) at Donnybrook in Dublin, with Tom Galbraith taking on the captaincy in the absence of lock Scott Cummings, who has been recalled by pro-team Glasgow Warriors.
Galbraith is one of two changes to the backline, moving from centre to full-back for the Championship finale, while his Melrose club-mate, George Taylor, is promoted from the bench to take over the number 12 shirt.
In the pack, Stephen Ainslie is set to make his starting debut for Scotland under-20, as he comes in to replace Cummings, while Boroughmuir’s Scott Burnside will make his second start in this year’s Championship at blindside flanker, with Andrew Davidson unavailable due to a concussion sustained against France. One change in the front-row sees Callum Sheldon return at tighthead prop.
On the bench, Hamish Bain and Lee Scott will make their Scotland under-20 debut if they take to the field.
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate Tom [Galbraith] and wish him all the best on taking on the captaincy for this match. He epitomises and embraces the team’s values and ethos, and we have no doubts he’ll lead by example this weekend,” said head coach Dalziel.
“We know that everyone in this squad is capable of doing a job, and those who have been promoted to the starting XV, or gained a spot on the bench, will give their everything and fully deserve their call-up.”
“The squad is looking forward to getting back on the road and facing up to the challenge Ireland will present at home.
“We were disappointed with the result against France, but there were a lot of positives to take from the performance and we’ll look to build on them for this Friday’s game.
“The mood in camp this week has been focussed and determined, and we want to finish what has already been a successful campaign on a high and with a third win.”
Scotland under-20 team to play Ireland under-20 in the Six Nations Championship at Donnybrook, Dublin, this Friday (kick-off 7.35pm) –
15. Tom Galbraith CAPTAIN (Melrose)**
14. Darcy Graham (Hawick)*
13. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
12. George Taylor (Melrose)**
11. Ben Robbins (Currie)**
10. Adam Hastings (Bath Rugby)
9. Hugh Fraser (Heriot’s)**
1. Murray McCallum (Heriot’s)**
2. Jake Kerr (Boroughmuir)**
3. Callum Sheldon (Leeds Beckett University)
4. Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County)**
5. Stephen Ainslie (Currie)
6. Scott Burnside (Boroughmuir)*
7. Matt Smith (Glasgow Hawks)**
8. Ally Miller (Melrose)**
Substitutes –
16. Lewis Anderson (Ayr)
17. George Thornton (Bishop Burton College)
18. Adam Nicol (Stirling County)
19. Hamish Bain (Currie)*
20. Lee Scott (Ayr)
21. Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle Falcons)
22. Robbie Nairn (Harlequins)
23. Ruairi Howarth (Gala)*
* BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy stage 2 player
** BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy stage 3 player
Image courtesy: Scottish Rugby/SNS Group