Although both teams are out of contention for Six Nations silverware, tonight’s meeting of the Scotland and Ireland Under-20s has added spice as they will also clash in the pool stages of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in June.
2015 UNDER-20 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, March 20
SCOTLAND UNDER-20s (4th) v IRELAND UNDER-20s (3rd), Netherdale, Galashiels, 7.30pm
Team News: The selected Ireland Under-20 team sees four changes, including a positional switch, to the one that lost out to Wales in the last round.
A rejigged pack sees Sligo prop Conan O’Donnell come in for his first start at this level, joining Jeremy Loughman and hooker Zack McCall in the front row.
Alex Thompson and David O’Connor resume their second row partnership having been paired together for the Italy, France and England games. Josh Murphy reverts to the back row where he joins Nick Timoney and regular number 8 Lorcan Dow (pictured below).
Front rowers Michael Lagan and Oisin Heffernan are named among the replacements along with UCD lock Jack Dwan who comes into the matchday 23 for the first time.
* In a late change to the Ireland team, loosehead Loughman has been ruled out of the game so Ulster’s Under-20 interprovincial title-winning captain Lagan will start in his place. Andrew Porter, a debutant in Wales, has been added to the bench.
Meanwhile, the Scotland Under-20s will look to preserve their unbeaten record at home this year as they welcome their Irish counterparts to Netherdale.
The junior Dark Blues have recorded victories over Wales and Italy in Galashiels this season, and a win against Nigel Carolan’s youngsters will see them close out the tournament with an unblemished home record.
Head coach Sean Lineen has made six changes to the side that lost 26-11 to England last time out. Captain Jamie Ritchie is absent due to a head injury sustained against England, with Ally Miller taking over from him at openside flanker for his first start of the Championship.
In Ritchie’s absence, his back row colleague and Edinburgh club-mate Magnus Bradbury will lead the Scots.
Scott Cummings takes the place of fellow Glasgow Hawk Andrew Davidson, joining Lewis Carmichael in the second row. The front row is unchanged with Murray McCallum and Zander Fagerson packing down at prop and Sam James at hooker.
The only alteration to the starting back-line comes at outside centre with Tom Galbraith – a replacement in the previous four games – partnering Patrick Kelly. Archie Russell is the player to make way.
The half-back pairing of George Horne and Rory Hutchinson will finish the Six Nations having started every match together, while Ben Robbins, last week’s try scorer, continues on the right wing with Alec Coombes and Ruairi Howarth completing the back-three.
Ruairi Knott takes a spot on the bench as back row cover, as prop Gary Robertson returns to the matchday 23 at the expense of Jack Owlett. After impressing in the Scotland Under-19 development match against Japan, Richard Galloway wears the number 23 jersey.
U-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures/Results
SCOTLAND U-20: Ruairi Howarth (Edinburgh/Gala); Ben Robbins (Edinburgh/Watsonians), Tom Galbraith (Melrose), Patrick Kelly (Le Parc), Alec Coombes (London Scottish); Rory Huthchinson (Northampton Saints), George Horne (Glasgow Hawks); Murray McCallum (Aberdeen Grammar), Sam James (Wasps), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Lewis Carmichael (Melrose), Neil Irvine-Hess (Melrose), Ally Miller (Edinburgh/Watsonians), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh/Boroughmuir) (capt).
Replacements: Ross Graham (Hawick), Dan Elkington (Watsonians), Gary Robertson (Gala), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Ruairi Knott (Melrose), Ben Vellacott (Gloucester/Hartpury College), Archie Russell (Stirling County), Richard Galloway (Birmingham University).
IRELAND U-20: Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster); Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster); Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt); Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster), Zack McCall (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Alex Thompson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster), Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster).
Replacements: Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster), Jack Dwan (UCD/Leinster), Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht), Connor Young (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster).
Referee: Thomas Foley (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Jackson, Ross Campbell (both England)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Scotland U-20s to win: 9/2; Draw: 30/1; Ireland U-20s to win: 1/8
Pre-Match Quotes – Nigel Carolan (Ireland U-20s): “We have always said that this tournament is about building players for the future and empowering them to react to what happens on the pitch.
“While we were disappointed with our performance against Wales last Friday, the lads have responded well in training and are looking forward to making amends this Friday at Netherdale.
“Scotland will present us with another tough challenge but we are confident that we can finish this campaign on a high.”
Sean Lineen (Scotland U-20s): “There has always been a belief in this group that we can do something special, and to win all three games at home would be huge for us. These boys have displayed some real flair, and, especially against Wales, a grit and desire to win in the Scotland shirt. I think this is reflected in their results so far.
“No Scotland Under-20 side has won three Championship games at home since 2009, and a victory could see us grab our highest tournament finish to date, so that is what we’re targeting.
“However, we know how difficult this will be against a battle hardened Irish outfit who are well drilled and never give an inch. They have a strong, competitive set piece and, as always, are a handful at the breakdown so we will have to be very accurate.”
Pre-Match Links –
Byrne’s Boot Not Enough For Ireland Under-20s Against Wales
Carolan Aiming To Finish U-20 Six Nations ‘On A Positive Note’
Dow Out To Build Momentum Against Scotland U-20s
Fitzgerald Using U-20 Six Nations Experience To ‘Push On’
Match Facts –
– All Scotland’s matches so far in this season’s Under-20 Six Nations have been won by the home side on the day
– The Scotland Under-20s’ record at Netherdale is won four and lost three
– The Ireland Under-20s began the 2015 campaign with a pair of victories but have been defeated in the last two rounds
– The Ireland Under-20s have never before lost three in a row in the tournament, while their only away win in their last nine matches in all competitions came in Italy in round 1
– The two sides have met on 11 previous occasions in all competitions with Scotland’s two victories being at Perth in 2009 and at Galashiels in 2013
– Ireland out-half Ross Byrne (50 points – 10 conversions and 10 penalties) is the top points scorer after the 2015 Championship’s opening four rounds. Full-back Billy Dardis and winger Stephen Fitzgerald have both scored two tries so far
Recent Meetings –
2012: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Ireland U-20s 26 Scotland U-20s 0, Dubarry Park
2013: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Scotland U-20s 21 Ireland U-20s 20, Netherdale
2014: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Ireland U-20s 34 Scotland U-20s 7, Dubarry Park
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