Head Coach Kenny Murray has named his Scotland Men U20 team to face USA in the 2024 World Rugby U20 1st v 2nd place final at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh (kick off 7.45pm – live on BBC ALBA).
Scotland have recorded three impressive wins to date, putting triple digits on Samoa and Hong Kong China before most recently beating Japan 46-10 to secure their place in the final. USA obtained top of the Pool B table after winning three from three against their opponents Netherlands, Uruguay and Kenya.
Scotland and USA will now battle it out for first place and promotion to next year’s World Rugby U20 Championship.
The team only sees one change from Friday’s contest against Japan, with Ruaraidh Hart coming into the second row to replace Ryan Burke, who picked up an injury in the game against Japan U20.
Blyth-Lafferty brother duo Ollie and Jerry continue in their starting berths, joining loosehead prop Robbie Deans on the front row at hooker and tighthead.
Hart joins Euan McVie in the second row, with the familiar back row trio of captain Liam McConnell and Freddy Douglas in the flanker positions and Tom Currie at number 8 to round off the forwards.
Conor McAlpine retains the scrum-half jersey alongside Andrew McLean who, after scoring 21 of Scotland’s 46 points against Japan, will start again at stand-off.
The backs remain unchanged from their victory over Japan, with Findlay Thomson and Johnny Ventisei starting in the centre. The wing pairing of Finlay Doyle and Geordie Gwynn, who have scored nine tries between them over the three pool matches, will remain with Fergus Watson completing the starting fifteen at full-back.
A five/three split on the bench remains, with Seb Stephen, Ben White, Jake Shearer, Dylan Cockburn and late call-up to the squad Ollie Duncan in place to support the forwards. The back cover remains, with Hector Patterson, Kerr Yule and Jack Hocking taking the remaining spots.
Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “We have put in some impressive performances over the competition, but we can’t take our foot off the gas now.
“USA are a powerful force and have proven that in their three pool matches. They are fast and physical and will be as hungry for success as we are.
“For many of the team, this will be the last time they play in the Scotland U20 jersey, so we want to put in a performance that our family, friends and Scotland can be proud of.”
Scotland Men U20 team to face USA U20 on Wednesday 17 July at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh (kick off 7.45pm, live on BBC ALBA)
15. Fergus Watson (Glasgow Warriors)
14. Finlay Doyle (Loughborough University)
13. Johnny Ventisei (Glasgow Warriors)
12. Findlay Thomson (Watsonians)
11. Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders/Brunel University) – Vice-captain
10. Andrew McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
9. Conor McAlpine (Watsonians)
1. Robbie Deans (Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Euan McVie (Edinburgh Rugby)
5.Ruaraidh Hart (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain
7. Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Tom Currie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain
Replacements
16. Seb Stephen (unattached)
17. Ben White (Biggar RFC)
18. Jake Shearer (Ayrshire Bulls)
19.Dylan Cockburn (Southern Knights/Melrose RFC)
20. Ollie Duncan (Edinburgh Rugby)
21. Hector Patterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Kerr Yule (Glasgow Warriors)
23. Jack Hocking (Edinburgh Rugby)
Jester
Sport Trivia: Who was the first SA cricketer to take a hat trick in Test cricket? Answer: Geoff Griffin in the second test match against England at Lords in June 1960 — he dismissed Mike Smith, caught by the wicket-keeper, then bowled Peter Walker and Freddy Trueman. England went on to win the game by an innings and 73 runs. He never played another test match after that, due to his continually being called no-ball for alleged throwing.
Jelly Momentum
Jim Laker is the only bowler who took 19 wickets in a test match.