Scotland head coach Kenny Murray has opted for experience when naming his squad for the Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series in Italy.
Of the 32-strong squad, 19 figured in Scotland’s Under-20 Six Nations campaign earlier this year, while under-18s captain Liam McConnell and Kerr Johnston are among nine potential debutants.
Head coach Murray said: “I’m really excited to be taking this group of players across to Italy for the Under-20 Summer Series and see what they can do.
“Whilst the results in the Under-20 Six Nations were disappointing, we’ve been building on the positives that can be taken from that competition to take into this summer.”
Of those selected for the squad, 24 played in the FOSORC Super6 Sprint Series.
With cross-border games being put on hold for the past season, the Sprint Series enabled the six participating teams to play competitive rugby ahead of the FOSROC Super6 Championship which starts later this summer.
“To have had 75% of our squad getting regular game time during the FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series, off the back of the Six Nations, has been fantastic for the players development,” said Murray.
“In training we can see that their intensity, skill level and desire to play a good attacking style of Scottish rugby is much higher.
Back-row McConnell scored as Scotland triumphed over Italy to kick off their Under-18 tournament in the spring, before spirited defeats against France and England followed, while winger Johnston impressed throughout.
“In both McConnell and Johnston’s positions we’ve a depth of talented players so we’re keen to see how they can utilize both their physical attributes and skill sets in this next stage of age-grade rugby,” said Murray.
“There are 11 members of this squad who are U19 and to have two Scotland Under-18 players stepping up to Under-20 so soon after their competition in the spring is testament to the quality of players that they are.”
The squad travel to Italy on Monday for the tournament which begins on Friday and runs through to Tuesday 12 July.
Scotland start their campaign against Wales on Saturday 25 June, before fixtures with hosts Italy, and then Georgia, who join South Africa in competing alongside the Six Nations unions for this competition.
Following the conclusion of the pool fixtures, a cross-group match will take place on Tuesday 12 July to determine the final standings.
All of Scotland’s pool stage games will take place at Benetton’s Stadio Di Monigo in Treviso, with all matches available to watch live on YouTube.
Scotland U20 squad for Under-20 Summer Series
Forwards
Gregor Hiddleston (Stirling County)
Patrick Harrison* (Watsonians RFC/Edinburgh Rugby)
Duncan Hood (Bath University)
James Lascelles (Gloucester Rugby/Hartpury College)
Ali Rogers (Ayrshire Bulls)
Iain Carmichael (Boroughmuir Bears)
Gregor Scougall (Watsonians RFC)
Callum Norrie (Stirling County/Strahallan School)
Max Williamson* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
Jake Spurway (Stirling County /Durham University)
Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders)
Rudi Brown* (Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby)
Rhys Tait* (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)
Tim Brown (Ayrshire Bulls)
Ollie Leatherbarrow (Exeter Chiefs)
Liam McConnell (Boroughmuir Bears)
Euan Groenewald (University of Pretoria (TUKS))
Matt Deehan (Newcastle Falcons)
Backs
Murray Redpath (Southern Knights/Newcastle University)
Finlay Burgess (Stirling County)
Ben Afshar (Southern Knights)
Christian Townsend* (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)
Euan Cunningham* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
Andrew Stirrat (Ayrshire Bulls)
Ben Salmon (Stirling County)
Duncan Munn* (Boroughmuir Bears)
Thomas Glendinning (Ayrshire Bulls)
Keiran Clark (Southern Knights)
Kerr Johnston (Gala RFC)
Ryan Daley (Watsonians RFC)
Gabe Jones (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders)
Ross McKnight* (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player for 2021/2022 Season