U20 6Nations Preview: Scotland U20 vs England U20

U20 6Nations Preview: Scotland U20 vs England U20

A home nations match-up will see England travel to Scotland in the hope to continue a flying start in the 2024 U20 Six Nations.

Mark Mapletoft’s team kick-started their campaign with an excellent 36-11 win away in Italy followed by a 28-7 victory against Wales that leaves them top of the table through two rounds.

Meanwhile a struggling Scotland side are yet to taste victory after successive defeats to Wales and France, sees them with just one bonus point.

Head coach Kenny Murray took pride from a strong second-half display against France and hopes they can step up in their final home game of the Championship.

In the reverse fixture last year, England came out 41-36 on top and will fancy their chances to cause upset in Edinburgh as they eye up an eighth Grand Slam.

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TEAM NEWS

Scotland welcome back Euan McVie from injury. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty replaces hooker Elliot Young along with Murdoch Lock who combined for Scotland’s two tries against France.

Robbie Deans and Callum Norrie join Blyth-Lafferty in the front line while No.8 Jonny Morris starts with flankers Freddy Douglas and captain Liam McConnell.

Options off the bench include newcomer Gavin Parry as a replacement alongside Callum Smyth, Ryan Whitefield, Ryan Burke and Tom Currie.

England have made few changes from the squad that beat Wales two weeks ago. Finn Carnduff is rewarded with captain duties once again as he continues to lead the charts for lineout takes and breakdown steals.

The Leicester Tiger accompanies Joe Bailey in the second row who makes his first appearance of the Championship.

Fly-half Josh Bellamy earns a well-deserved start after sealing England’s bonus point off the bench in Round 1 and his Harlequins teammate Zach Carr returns at No.8.

WHAT THEY SAID

Scotland head coach Kenny Murray said: “After the first fallow week, the team are ready to get going again.

“We came back fighting in the second half against France two weeks ago, but we must play that way consistently if we want to be on the right side of the result against England, who will no doubt bring a very physical performance.

“We are excited to get back out in front of a home crowd for our final home game of the tournament.

England head coach Mark Mapletoft said: “After a fallow week in the Championship, the boys are raring to go and are determined to continue the strong start we’ve made to this year’s tournament.

“An awful lot of work has gone into what England fans have seen on the pitch and we’re thankful for all the support we have received, it’s spurred us as a team on and we urge for more of the same in the forthcoming rounds.

“Scotland pose a unique challenge and possess a physical threat at the breakdown and set-piece that will put our capabilities to the test. We can’t wait for what is in store this Friday in Edinburgh.”

TEAMS

Scotland U20: 15. Fergus Watson, 14. Kerr Johnston, 13. Geordie Gwynn, 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Amena Caqusau, 10. Isaac Coates, 9. Murdoch Lock, 1. Robbie Deans, 2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 3. Callum Norrie, 4. Euan McVie, 5. Ruaraidh Hart, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Freddy Douglas, 8. Jonny Morris

Replacements:16. Gavin Parry, 17. Callum Smyth,18. Ryan Whitefield, 19. Ryan Burke, 20. Tom Currie, 21. Eric Davey, 22. Jack Hocking, 23. Johnny Ventisei

England U20: 15 Ioan Jones, 14 Toby Cousins, 13 Ben Redshaw, 12 Sean Kerr, 11 Alex Wills, 10 Josh Bellamy, 9 Archie McParland, 1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Craig Wright, 3 Billy Sela, 4 Joe Bailey, 5 Finn Carnduff, 6 Nathan Michelow, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 Zach Carr

Replacements: 16 Jacob Oliver, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Afolabi Fasogbon, 19 Harry Browne, 20 Kane James, 21 Ben Douglas, 22 Rory Taylor, 23 Ben Waghorn

 

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