“We have planned and prepared well following the Six Nations and we have set clear goals for the World Championship,” explained Scotland U20 Head Coach Colin Robertson. “Looking back at the Six Nations we should have beaten France, we played very well against Ireland and narrowly lost against Italy, so the results didn’t really reflect some good performances. Even though we lost all our Six Nations games there is a real buzz among the players.
“World Championships are massive events and with five games played every four days it will be a big challenge for us, but it will be one which we, as a group, are very excited about. The programme we have undergone at RM Condor [the Commando camp in Arbroath] will stand us in good stead – this is something we have looked at and planned for.”
Robertson has freshened up his squad from the U20 Six Nations with five new faces; among them prop Joe Stafford after a long injury absence, hooker Niall Shannon, full back Peter Horne, flanker Andrew Rose and Scotland U19 player of the year Peter Jericevich. Lewis Calder, the son of Jim and nephew of Finlay – both former Scotland internationals who also played for the British & Irish Lions, retains the Scotland U20 captaincy of a squad containing several veterans of last year’s IRB U19 World Championship.
Among these players who helped Scotland U19 finish tenth in Northern Ireland returning for this inaugural tournament are Ruairdh Jackson, Stephen McColl and Chris Kinloch who have all appeared on the IRB Sevens World Series this season. Scotland U20 open their campaign against Samoa U20 at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on 6th June and then face South Africa U20 four days later and USA U20 on 14th June in their final Pool D encounter.
“I think all the games are going to be physical. In fact I think the USA game will be really physical as well because they have got a strong development programme in America,” added Robertson. “We realise South Africa will be an outstanding side and very physical. Also the Samoan team will be very strong as well, but we are aware of that. The tournament promises to be a genuine challenge for the players and if we can generate some momentum then it should develop into a hugely memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Scotland U20 aren’t the only side who will have familiar faces in their squad for Wales with USA U20 Head Coach Salty Thompson selecting two thirds of the players who under him finished fourth in Division B at last year’s IRB U19 World Championship. Among those returning are second row and captain Scott Lavalla, prop Shawn Pittman, fly half Hamish Roberts, scrum half Sean Treacy and full back Nate Ebner, while Thretton Palamo has been a regular for USA Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Series this year and also became the youngest ever player to grace a Rugby World Cup with his appearance for the Eagles against South Africa at France 2007.
“We are delighted to have a player of Thretton’s ability and experience in the squad,” said Thompson. “He brings a significant presence in our midfield and will be a catalyst for the USA Team having a wealth of experience and presence.”
South Africa U20 meanwhile have made one change to the U20 squad announced earlier this month, with Josias Ebersohn joining his twin brother Robert in Eric Sauls squad in place of Juan de Jongh.
Scotland U20 Squad: Murray Allan, Tom Bury, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Chris Kinloch, Paul Loudon, Stephen McColl, Jamie Murray, Peter Horne, Peter Jericevich, Steven Wilson, Ross Samson, Jonny Baird, Steven Burton, Lewis Calder (Captain), Angus Dixon, Adrian Duncan, Fraser McKenzie, Lewis Niven, Neale Patrick, Gary Strain, Craig Simmonds, Joe Stafford, Richie Gray, Andrew Rose, Niall Shannon
USA U20 Squad: Teddy Barron, Austin Cella, Adam Ducoing, Nate Ebner, Kevin Erskine, Ryan Fitcher, Nick Johnson, Stevie Johnston, Gareth Jones, Garrett Lambert, Scott Lavalla (Captain), Ryan McTiernan, Scott Metcalf, Taylor Mokate, Liam Murphy, Max Paganini, Thretton Palamo, Shawn Pittman, Hamish Roberts, Steven Sablan, Mike Shepherd, Tyler Siceloff, Zack Test, Jack Tracy, Sean Treacy, Bill Wynne
South Africa U20 Squad (revised): Cecil Afrika, Henri Bantjes, Francois Brummer, Stephan Dippenaar, Dewaldt Duvenage, Josias Ebersohn, Robert Ebersohn, Corne Fourie, Wiehahn Herbst, Cornell Hess, Francois Hougaard, Frederick Kirsten, Nick Koster, Luvuyiso Lusaseni, Lionel Mapoe, Thiliphaut Marole, Martin Muller, Sabelo Nhlapo, Wilton Pietersen, Jean-Jacques Rossouw, Omphile Seabela, Johan van Deventer, Gerrit van Velze (Captain), Pieter Janse Van Vuuren, Stefan Watermeyer, Vainon Willis
