Four players return to the under-20 set-up hoping their experience will help the new blood at this age-grade level. Edinburgh Rugby’s Robin Hislop will captain the side, with Harry Leonard, Alex Allan and Mitch Eadie all returning to the starting line-up having played in last year’s competition.

The match, which is FREE for spectators, and will also be live streamed on www.scottishrugby.org, also sees second-row Jonny Gray make his under-20s debut having been promoted from Scotland under-18. Also starting will be Tomasso Allan, who plays at Western Province in South Africa and whose uncle, John Allan, played both in the dark blue of Scotland and for South Africa.

Wright is well aware of the challenge that Friday’s match will bring but he knows his men can begin their campaign with a flying start against the Auld Enemy.

He said: “We have had a strong pool of players who have trained well in preparation for the RBS 6 Nations championship. This has made selection for the England match difficult.

“I have included four guys who were involved last year who will bring leadership and experience to the side. The others, particularly Gray and Adam Sinclair, have all earned their places on merit, performing their way into contention.

“The England game will be a huge battle, but we have players who will bring pace and physicality to the match.

“On the bench we have another pool of talent, some of whom have pro-experience, and who will come on fast and strong.”

The Scotland Under-20 Team to play England Under-20 on Friday 3 February at Firhill Stadium at 7.30pm: 15 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Scotland 7s / Heriot’s), 14 Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Rugby / Edinburgh Accies)
13 Robbie Fergusson (Ayr), 12 Tomasso Allan (Western Province), 11 Michael Crawley (Boroughmuir), 10 Harry Leonard (Edinburgh Rugby), 9 Scott Steele (Leicester Tigers); 1 Robin Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby / Boroughmuir) (captain), 2 Fergus Scott (Currie), 3 Alex Allan (Loughborough Students), 4 Jonny Gray (Hamilton), 5 Adam Sinclair (Stirling County), 6 Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby), 7 Will Bordill (Sale Sharks), 8 Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir)
Replacements: 16 George Turner (Edinburgh Rugby / Stewart’s Melville), 17 Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County), 18 Andrew Redmayne (Dundee HSFP), 19 Callum Reid (Edinburgh Accies), 20 Struan Cessford (Heriot’s), 21 Murray McConnell (Glasgow Warriors / Ayr), 22 Finn Russell (Falkirk), 23 Tom Steven (Glasgow Hawks)

Scotland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations fixtures are as below, with free entry to both home matches:

Friday 3rd February 2012, Firhill Stadium – Scotland U20 v England U20, 7.30pm
Friday 10 February 2012, Parc Eirias – Wales under-20 v Scotland under-20, Time TBC
Friday 24 February 2012, Netherdale – Scotland under-20 v France under-20, 7.30pm
Friday 9 March 2012, Dubarry Park – Ireland under-20 v Scotland under-20, 7.05pm
Friday 16 March, Calvisano – Italy under-20 v Scotland under-20, 6pm

Meanwhile Scotland Women’s head coach Karen Findlay has opted for a blend of youth and experience in the team selected to take on England at Lasswade on Sunday 5 February (kick-off 5pm, free entry).

Scrum half Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars) will win her 50th cap while at the other end of the scale winger Sarah Dixon – who scored a debut try against Holland Women in November 2011 – wins her second. The team will be captained on Sunday by tight-head prop Tracy Balmer, who led Scotland to the victory in Amsterdam.

Findlay said: “I’m really excited about playing England then France at home – they’re both massive challenges – and I’m particularly looking forward to kicking off the tournament against England.

“Every game is going to be a challenge and I’d like to think the hard work we’ve put in – in terms of coaching and player effort – since the last Six Nations will have paid off. We did a lot of soul-searching and have worked hard to improve our core skills and basic preparation.”

Much of the hard work has centred around the regular Friday night Scotland Series training games which have seen new players come through and exisiting team members raising the bar to put their hands up for selection.

Adds Findlay: “The squad has changed and now it’s all about putting everything we’ve worked on into practice, on the day.”

The Scots’ first game is at home against England on Sunday 5 February and culminates away against Italy on Sunday 18 March.

Audio of Karen looking ahead to the England game and speaking about her coaching experience with former New Zealand coach, Graham Henry, is on the web site at www.scotlandrugbyteam.org

Scotland Women v England Women on Sunday 5 February at Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm

15 Stephanie Johnston (RHC Cougars), 14 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers), 13 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)
12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers), 11 Sarah Dixon (Stirling County), 10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), 9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 2 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), 3 Tracy Balmer (Worcester) (captain), 4 Anna Swan (RHC Cougars), 5 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 6 Charlotte Veale (London Wasps), 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), 8 Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Smith (Darlington Mowden Park), 17 Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers), 18 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), 19 Kath Muir (RAF), 20 Tess Forsberg (Richmond), 21 Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), 22 Caroline Collie (OA Saints)

Scotland Women’s RBS 6 Nations fixtures are as below, with free entry to both home matches. 

Sunday 5 February, Scotland v England, Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm
Sunday 12 February, Wales v Scotland, Cross Keys RFC, kick-off 1pm
Saturday 25 February, Scotland v France, Stirling County RFC, kick-off 2pm
Friday 9 March, Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7.30pm
Sunday 18 March, Italy v Scotland, Rovato Stadium, Brescia, kick-off 2.30pm

The squad is bigger than in previous years and will be in camp at Murrayfield until Friday 20 January.

In an interview with www.scottishrugby.org, he said: “It’s necessary to bring together a bigger core group for the forthcoming under-20s matches because of the quality of players we have in this age group.

“As well as bringing back seven players from last year’s squad, who will bring experience to the side we are introducing a number of exciting young talents from Scotland under-18 and Scotland 7s.

“I’m keen to give as many of these players game time and a chance to impress.”

Alex Allan, Mark Bennett, Mitch Eadie, Robin Hislop, Harry Leonard, Jamie Stevenson and Jamie Swanson all return to the squad.

Meanwhile, coming in from last season’s Scotland under-18 squad are Tommaso Allan, Russell Anderson, Chris Auld, Jamie Bhatti, Will Bordill, Jamie Farndale, Robbie Fergusson, Johnny Gray, Alex Henderson, Adam Sinclair, Scott Steel and Callum Templeton.

There are players from all over the world in the squad, including those from unlikely sources – Nudgee College Schoolboys, Western Province – mixed with the usual selection of Scottish and English clubs. There are also a few pros too, which is refreshing.

Since last year Harry Leonard has become a regular fixture in Edinburgh squads this season and recently announced an extension to his contract. He’s joined by fellow capital player Robin Hislop, while Mark Bennett has also been in the pro environment; although less successfully, having been blighted by injury during his time at Clermont.

Scotland under-20s begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign on Friday 3 February against England under-20 at Firhill in Glasgow, kick-off 7.30pm.

They will then travel to Wales on Friday 10 February before playing France under-20s at Netherdale, Galashiels on Friday 24 February (kick-off 7.30pm). After taking on Ireland under-20s on Friday 9 March their campaign culminates with a match against Italy under-20s on Friday 16 March.

Wright continued: “We’re really looking forward to the challenge that the Six Nations will bring, playing against some of the best talent at this level.

“The competition will also help us work towards the under-20s Rugby World Cup in South Africa later this year, where we will be up against the best teams in the world.”

Scotland under-20 squad:

Backs: Tommaso Allan (Western Province), Chris Auld (Gala), Mark Bennett (Clermont Auvergne), Jack Bradford (Nottingham Rugby), Michael Crawley (Boroughmuir), Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies), Robbie Fergusson (Ayr), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Heriot’s), Rory Hughes (Glasgow Hawks), Harris Jones (Boroughmuir), Harry Leonard (Edinburgh Rugby), Murray McConnell (Glasgow Warriors), Alistair Price (Bedford Blues), Finn Russell (Falkirk), Jack Steele (Dundee HSFP), Scott Steele (Leicester Tigers), Jamie Stevenson (London Scottish), Peter Stewart (Nudgee College Schoolboys).

Forwards: Alex Allan (Loughborough Students), Russell Anderson (Gala), Adam Ashe (Stirling County), Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County), Will Bordill (Sale Sharks), Struan Cessford (Heriot’s), Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby), Gary Graham (Gala), Johnny Gray (Hamilton), Alex Henderson (Boroughmuir), Robin Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby), Andrew Nagle (Jedforest), Andrew Redmayne (Dundee HSFP), Callum Reid (Edinburgh Accies), Gavin Robertson (Dundee HSFP), Fergus Scott (Currie), Adam Sinclair (Stirling County), Stuart Smith (Aberdeen Grammar), Tom Steven (Glasgow Hawks), Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir), Callum Templeton (Ayr), George Turner (Stewart’s Melville).

After seeing the performance of David Pocock against South Africa I got to wondering about what brought an individual to be the type of player capable of pulling off incredible individual feats. Then I heard Rob Moffat say that he would like Scotland to play an 18 or 19 year old back sooner, rather than later. I’ve been pondering over the question of skills.

At my second Under-19 World Cup I played against David Pocock (we recorded an historical loss in Dubai…). He was as dominant, quick and technically brilliant then as he is today. At the age of 18 he had a set of tools any international 7 would be proud to have. Yet because of this I am caught considering two things: how do Scotland specifically address the issue of skills and; are we bothered enough to change the status quo?

Now something else has happened, which makes me panic. We need to change things. Fast.

A group of renowned ex-props have put forward a paper hoping to amend some of the “unjust, illogical and inoperable” scrummaging laws. Some of them certainly do need changing, and they succinctly highlight this. However, some of the paper has drawn to my attention problems with individual skills.

“If one prop were 6ft 4in and the opposing prop were 5ft 10in then, if everything were equal, it would be likely that the hips of the taller player would be above the level of his shoulders. Surely therefore this law constitutes bias against taller men,” a section about the height of hips states.

Taller men. 6ft 4in. Our game is now played by monsters. If these guys have it their way (which, if there is further tweaking, they probably should) then the pack going forward will normally get the advantage. That is logical. Brutish sets of 8 will be at more of a premium. Sure some smaller men may survive, but their technique will have to be impeccable, and their bodies strong.

The future of our game is one where collisions and pressure situations ensure that the biggest with the most skill will be the best. The supremely gifted will still find a way, but it is the technique that counts. As it should be.

At the moment we are not producing any Pococks or international tyros. We struggle to name 6 prop forwards technically proficient enough to handle an international scrum and some of our most talented junior 10s aren’t good enough to kick as well as run, or vice versa.

According to an SRU spokesperson we have 77 Development Officers in Scotland. Spread throughout the country these DOs are tasked with offering expert coaching advice to youngsters whilst they are working with youth teams, clubs and schools already. On top of this there are 8 regional Development Managers (according to the SRU website) that cover all aspects of development in the regions of Glasgow North, Highland and Islands, Central,  a combination of Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside (Fife), Grampian and Edinburgh (mid and west Lothian). There are also four regional Academy Managers, overseen by a senior manager, and Stevie Gemmell. Finally we have Iain Monaghan as Elite Development coach with Glasgow Warriors, Bryan Easson as Elite Development coach with Edinburgh Rugby and Graham Shiel covering the Sevens and whatever else he can fit in with Elite academy players.

These are the men in charge of unearthing our most talented individuals and optimising and honing their skills. These are the men in charge of sifting through the SRUs given number of “43,400 registered players” in 2011, and picking out those good enough and young enough to develop into Scotland players.

Now for me it is ridiculous to hold the DOs, those out of the 77 that aren’t Managers, responsible for not unearthing or creating enough talent. It isn’t their fault. With their Level 3 UKCC qualification they can “coach techniques & tactical concepts of rugby union”, “demonstrate an understanding of the units & sub-units and their contribution to team play and the principles of rugby union” and “demonstrate an understanding of the principles of attack and defence”. I am assured they only have a certain remit, and therefore they cover a wide range of youngsters. They are not qualified to specialise. They cover ‘Rugby’. They will not create a Pocock.

As for the Managers, well, they have a huge responsibility.

I am again assured by the SRU that the DOs are not required to have any Strength and Conditioning qualifications. There is no way of keeping up with which ones have. For me such qualifications are a complete Must Have. Particularly with the Management caste and those running academies and overseeing those at the critical ages of 15-16.

Now I am not saying that I want these kids doing heavy weights and piling on muscle. I agree with Steve Bates that we focus too much on weightlifting, because we can still catch up later (I remember when Fraser McKenzie first turned up at Edinburgh Rugby, at 17, having never lifted weights before in his life. Now he is crashing into contact in the Aviva Premiership). What I want instead is a technical, lighter understanding of weightlifting and the techniques involved (as youngsters are still growing and changing physiologically) as part of skill specific training.

Specialisation from a younger age is key. With increasing regularity we should have props and hookers working on specific scrum technique with an expert coach so that they are able to scrummage properly, even though they are using U19 rules. They need new techniques and gym work, but at 16 they don’t need brutally heavy squats. We should have second-rows using training techniques that high-jumpers and long-jumpers use, as well as one-handed and two-handed skills when a ball is in the air and they are unstable. We should have 10s working on evading contact and kicking under pressure, perhaps whilst pulling a sled, but also whilst doing dynamic exercise. Some stuff involving heavy pressure, but with additional skills like kicking needed.  We need agility work for all of our flyers. We need flexible back-rowers that can wrest a ball free, having trained their body to do so, but without inflating them in to walking chests.

Of course before the age of 15 or 16 we also need persistent emphasis on handling skills, and also on kicking skills. If a child is comfortable hand-catching, passing and, if a back, kicking then it will be much easier to work on position specifics by the 15-16 year mark where rugby gets more competitive.

Truthfully the academy systems need a helping hand. We are not producing junior coaches able to coach a position specifically, because we look at ‘Rugby’ as a whole. The rest of the world is focussing on the coming changes, and analysing each position to death. Sure cover rugby, but schools and youth clubs have a responsibility to lay the skill foundation before it is time for specificity. Perhaps we do not have enough DOs, but we certainly need to raise standards across the boards.

For the big schools and top under age clubs there should definitely be a minimum UKCC level ‘suggested’ by the Union. Specific skills should be worked on more than once a week. Players should have a ball in their hands the rest of the time and the supporting managers sent from HQ should be well equipped to keep their training varied, interesting and skill driven. Specifically skill driven for each group of players in certain positions. Not all positions are the same, but training one player at a time isn’t going to get things done. At the moment the most qualified coaches, according to the SRU, work with an Elite group of few, all in different positions.

By the time it comes to playing our skills should be better than they have been. We need heavy investment in youth rugby. At the moment our Elite systems don’t have that Pocock or 18 year old full-back ready for a shot at the 6N. Change costs money, and access to facilities may be an issue, but at this stage we need to speculate for the future of our game.

Clubs also approved a motion that a Scottish Exiles representative will serve on the Scottish Rugby Council from the 2012 AGM.

In addition they backed a motion from Moray House RFC to establish a permanent rugby museum at Murrayfield Stadium.

Former Scotland scrum-half Alan Lawson (Heriot’s) was elected as vice-president of the SRU in a three-way contest with Archie Ferguson (Lenzie) and Gordon Cairns (West of Scotland), while Ian McLauchlan, the former Scotland and British Lions prop, was re-elected unopposed as president of the SRU. The meeting saw Allan Munro retire from the post of Chairman of the Scottish Rugby Board, which he has held since 2005. He is succeeded by Sir Moir Lockhead. Following the agm, Scottish Rugby Council representative Jim Greenwood (Berwick) was re-elected to the Scottish Rugby Board.

via scottishrugby.org

Two losses is still the most important fact, but I feel myself looking at performances.

Duncan Weir has had a shaky start to the tournament, trying too much too soon as my colleague Rory suggests. But it is not his performance that I am concerned with. Neither is it the performance of rated 8 Tyas or the jinking (and banned) 15 Hogg that is of importance to me. No. I’m looking at the younger generation and wondering if any of them will ever be a superstar.

Will Scotland ever have their own Brian O’Driscoll, again?

By this I don’t mean a talismanic figure who all of the world recognises and is very marketable. One view of any BBC 6N post match analysis will tell you that we already have an easily recognised and marketable figure in Mr Richie Gray.

What I do mean is an exciting back who can unlock defences and doesn’t need to talk because his magnificent feet, hands and head do all the talking for him. Scotland needs a player to unlock the door and we can only get one coming through the ranks.

We tried playing Max Evans at centre and I feel that experiment has run its course. Sure he is quick and can swerve round players but I am certain that he would be a much more explosive weapon working in tandem with Tim Visser on the other wing, next year. A good big ‘un always beats a good little ‘un. Imagine if we had both on the wings.

So where do we look for this young and vibrant centre?

Luckily Mark Bennett has been fast-tracked into the 20s and has been snapped up by Clermont Auvergne. His future, at least for the next year, is secure. He has grown into his centre berth at the junior World Cup. He has made breaks. He cut through England a few times. He even had the stamina to continue making breaks and flicks at the closing stages of that game. We now know how good Bennett could be.

Back on these shores, though, there are a few wee nuggets that we have not heard of yet. If Edinburgh Accies victorious Scottish Schools coach Mark Appleson is to be believed, though, there are a couple you should keep an eye on.

“There are some very good signs around in the youth game at the moment that Scottish rugby is in rude health. In the ranks of Under 18 players this season are three players in particular who are set to make a real impact on the game in the next year or so.

You’ve mentioned Bennett, and he certainly has put in some eye-catching performances. He has pace and a deft touch which allowed him to score some memorable tries this season, none better than a 90 metre effort against Heriot’s in the early part of the season.”

A man who has coached top school sides for years, former Leeds and Manchester back Appleson told me what I already knew, having played in that Heriot’s game. When he was pressed to name the most exciting players from the School’s scene, however, his eyes lit up.

“There is an Accies prospect,” Appleson says, smiling. “6 foot winger Jamie Farndale has bypassed the Under 17 development squad and starred in the Under 18 6 Nations campaign, including a memorable win against England, scoring the crucial winning try. He was rewarded with a tier 2 contract with Edinburgh, who clearly saw much promise in his performances. His power and pace will light up Prem 1 next season, whoever he chooses to play for.”

Scotland, it seems, has a few centres and wings to choose from. We may well get our BO’D after all. Again, though, I think forward. For Scotland’s sake.

Are there any stand-offs out there, I ask. “There is Merchiston Castle’s Sam Hidalgo Clyne,” Appleson counters.

“Sam has always possessed a prodigous talent and he was the stand out player on a very competitive schools season. He controls the game beautifully, kicks the ball acurately and for an impressive distance and he has the eye for a break, scoring over 20 tries for Merchiston this season. His contract with the national sevens squad should ensure his continued development.”

Happy days, it would seem.

But why have we heard very little about these guys? I like to think it is because we want to nurture such talents and let them grow. Publicity can be off-putting and pressurizing. The Bennett saga is one the likes of Edinburgh and Glasgow may want to avoid again.

Perhaps this is why I got no response when I asked Ayr’s head coach about their other budding centre star, schoolboy Robbie Fergusson. No one wants to start a gold rush.

It was also England’s wing Yarde who put the initial space between the teams with an interception try from Duncan Weir’s pass. After that Weir – wearing his headband of doom and who had been again trying to win the game himself – settled down, dropped a goal and really started to take command of the game and create space and chances for his talented backs. But Scotland were always playing catch up.

During the second half they exerted real dominance over an England team on paper more experienced and bigger physically. The dogged, aggressive and often scrambled tackling that is Scotland’s trademark these days was well in evidence, as was no small amount of guile in the backs. After coming off the bench last week, Kerr Gossman was hugely impressive on the wing and dovetailed nicely with Mark Bennett on several occasions. I have to admit Bennett had not been amazing on the couple of occasions I watched him during the Six Nations, but I can now see what all the fuss is about over in Clermont/Glasgow. He made several good breaks and offloads, and was narrowly hauled down short of the line after one such opportunity, but showed great awareness not to throw a silly pass when there was no support. A young man with a bright future indeed.

Number 8 James Tyas, after being subdued against South Africa came storming back on to his game at lineout and in the loose (and even Old Whistler marked him out as a top performer).

The best try of the game was scored by Scotland, an end-to-end effort involving a lot of the team (I hope to track down some video, it really was rather good) but finished by Sean Kennedy, and they slowly hauled England to within a score.

Then tiredness kicked in after tackling for 80 minutes against South Africa four days previous, and England emptied their Premiership bench. The new men in white, including George Ford, made the most of their chances – something the team had thus far failed to do, and were able to put the win out of reach with a couple of cheap tries.

A fair bit of criticism was levelled at the team by South African commenters who felt their lot should have put us away by 100 or more like New Zealand were doing to teams (Wales got drubbed 92-0 yesterday): “this Scotland team are very poor” and the like. But actually they are not a bad team or bad players, they are just working with very different resources in terms of money, time and size of player pool to the Southern Hemisphere big guns (and England) and consistently having to punch above their weight against young men who have played rugby at a higher standard for longer.

Heartening though, and if somehow we can keep some of these backs playing together and getting out of the blocks quicker – a failing the senior team (and Andy Murray!) are guilty of – Scotland’s future will be in good hands.

The Scots went down 33-0 to a formidable South Africa side in their opening championship fixture but take confidence from the showing of their Irish counterparts who ran England close in the corresponding Pool fixture on the same night (33-25).

Scotland head coach Peter Wright said: “Ireland forced them to make a lot of errors so we have to make sure we put them under just as much pressure; we can do that in defence but the challenge for us is getting our attack working.

“We’ll adopt a similar tactic in this match; we need to keep the game alive.

“We won’t be looking to take them on physically but we need to keep the ball for longer periods, into the sixth phase, to allow us to manipulate their defence and allow our quick runners to take advantage of any mismatches that are created.”

Wright has been forced to shuffle his backs following the two-match suspension of full-back Stuart Hogg, having being cited for a dangerous tackle on South Africa stand-off Johan Goosen of which not much footage was available on the television.

The change sees Stirling County’s Glenn Bryce switch from the wing to the vacated full-back position (in which he operated during this season’s 6 Nations) and Kerr Gossman come on to the wing from the bench, having impressed as a replacement against the Boks.

In the forwards, Mitch Eadie and Hamish Watson come in as a straight swap for Jamie Swanson and Alex Spence in the back-row.

Although a couple of our team belong to pro teams or academies, England have put Owen Farrell put in at 10, the position he has played Premiership Rugby in all season. Tough test ahead, good luck to the boys.

Scotland U20s: Glenn Bryce (Stirling County), Sam Atkin (Edinburgh Accies), Mark Bennett (Clermont Auvergne), Danny Gilmour (Stirling County), Kerr Gossman (Glasgow Hawks), Duncan Weir CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Kennedy (Stirling County); Alex Allan (Loughborough University), David Cherry (Team Northumbria), Colin Phillips (Edinburgh Rugby/Stewart’s Melville), Mitchell Todd (Nottingham), Robert McAlpine (West of Scotland/Glasgow Warriors), Mitch Eadie (Boroughmuir), Hamish Watson (Leicester Tigers), James Tyas (Bath)
Substitutes: Richard Ferguson (Melrose), George Hunter (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Robin Hislop (Edinburgh Rugby/Boroughmuir), Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir), Jamie Stevenson (Westcombe Park), Craig Jackson (Melrose), Grant Runciman (Melrose)

England U20s: Jonathan Joseph (London Irish); Marland Yarde (London Irish), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps); Owen Farrell (Saracens), Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby); Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Will Collier (Harlequins), Sam Twomey (Harlequins), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors, cap), Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers), Sam Jones (London Wasps).
Subs: Koree Britton (Gloucester Rugby), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons), Chris Cook (Bath Rugby), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Ben Ransom (Saracens).

Tuesday 14 June, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso, Italy. Kick-off 5.10pm BST, coverage live on Sky Sports 3 from 5pm.

The last time these teams met at age grade level the whipping administered was upwards of 70 points, and this time our plucky Bravehearts were facing a bulked up junior Bokke. The South African team has been picked to bully its way to a tournament victory by an expectant Rainbow nation clearly awaiting a World Cup double this year. Behind the pack they had pace and skill, much of it already blooded at Super 15 level. And if you think that was stuffed with cliches, then you clearly didn’t listen to the imported commentary on Sky the other day. Never been to Scotland? I ask you, where do they find them?!

Despite a distinct lack of swords, blue paint or bare bums, Scotland did actually display no small amount of determination in defence after going in at half time 21-0 down, enough to suggest that our national tradition of gritty rearguard actions will be in safe hands, if nothing else.

Having seen most of this team in action in the U20 Six Nations earlier in the year, the pack looked a bit more settled than they had then, with Robert McAlpine standing out in the second row, another big lump in the Richie Gray mode (harder to spot though). James Tyas of Bath was given a lot less space or time than he had in the Six Nations but is still looking like a quality ball carrying Number 8.

The backs were arguably boosted by the addition of Duncan Weir (unavailable on Magners duty in the spring), as well as several players (Hogg, Bennett) who had secured pro-contracts since then. In spite of a few good line-breaks through a big stubborn South African defensive line, the team were still worryingly aware of their own need to score merely to stay in touch, which (along with a slippery ball) resulted in many knock-ons, fumbles and turnovers as they tried to force everything. On the other hand, the South Africans stuck to their tactical plan and took the points when they were on offer, turning up the intensity as required within the 22. Great game management, in other words.

Weir in particular seemed to play at captain as if he had to create everything, which didn’t always work and possibly wasn’t true – this is a pretty decent group of players getting time to grow together. When he went off with a blood injury early in the second half, the backs all shuffled in and replacement on the wing Keir Gossman made several good breaks as they seemed to relax, pointing to an original wide gameplan that might have been a little less headless chicken. Perhaps it was because the match was out of sight by that point, but still it might be worth letting one of the Six Nations captains do the shouting and let Weir concentrate on running the game as we have seen him do for Glasgow.

Despite the loss, I would say a) Peter Wright’s team actually looked a lot better than they did in March, against a Springbok team superior to anything they played against in that tournament (bar possibly England) and b) well, it was only 33 points. England and Ireland are also in Scotland’s pool, so bottom of the heap with no wins is still a distinct possibility. But the experience these young players gain will be invaluable, allowing them early recognition of the standards – and disparity in performance levels – they will continue to face and have to try and overcome if they continue through to senior Test level, even against the other Home nations.

Scotland will now face England in the IRB Junior World Championship on Tuesday 14 June at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso (kick-off 6.10pm local time, 1710 GMT, coverage on Sky Sports).

Let the Braveheartery commence.

Weir is a proven player at Celtic League level, Hogg has had some experience and is an incredibly confident individual and Bennett has had well documented flirtations with full time rugby here and in France. They do, however, go into the competition with a typical Scottish pack: one that struggled in scrums against the French, the Welsh and English and now faces a South Africa side, first up.

South Africa are notoriously physical, and the nation is yearning for success. They want to win more than a junior World Cup Bronze, especially before the defence of the senior World Cup. Scotland’s forwards may get steam-rollered.

On foreign soil, however, it is not unthinkable that Scotland can beat the likes of England, and particularly Ireland, in their group games.

At the ages of 18 and 19 I feel players are nowhere near their full development. In my opinion more needs to be done to bridge the perceived gap between ‘junior’ and ‘senior’ rugby. Weir, Bennett and Hogg have all shown it is possible to step into pro environments and not be obliterated. More kids need a shot.

Thankfully the days of the ill-conceived centralised ‘National Academy’ are gone, in favour of a more hands-on, pro-aligned Elite Development or ‘apprentice’ programme. Still more needs to be done, though.

It is always shocking when props, hookers and 10s (all positions that require growth, technical learning and, above all, experience) are told at 19 and 20 that they “cannot improve any more”. For me this is nonsense. Look at late comers Geoff Cross, Andrew Sheridan or former All Black and Edinburgh man, Dave Hewett. If they had not stuck at it and been allowed to grow and learn they would not be full internationals. Even look at pros Sam Vesty, Barry Everitt and Nick Easter: guys allowed to play their way up and grow, because people took a punt on them.

For this reason I feel that the B&I Cup, and MacPhail scholarships are amazing openings for young players to explore.

As usual I will take my chance to be radical and propose some developmental avenues that the SRU, Graham Lowe, Bryan Easson, Ian Monaghan and Ian Brierley, Stevie Gemmell and Graham Shiel can explore. It would involve stepping out of the comfort zone.

The B&I Cup is an amazing experience and can bring players forward, as well as show them their limitations. It is much tougher than any club rugby in Scotland. Would it be possible to emulate it at under-20 or under-18 level?

We already have Regional sides (Caledonia, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders). Could they be used to play equivalents in Wales, England and Ireland throughout the season? Maybe the winner of the district championship, only, would go forward. Increased competition could bring players on and there would be a necessity for better coaching.

This is just a suggestion, as schooling and work commitments would have to be taken into account. In the summertime, though, we have the opportunity to send youngsters away to learn rugby abroad and hone their skills via the MacPhail Scholarship.

In the past 1 player was sent to NZ to evolve. This year the SRU have sent 3 boys. I applaud this step forward, but again ask: could we do more?

Firstly, if we can afford to send 3, why not scrape a wee bit more together and send 5 or 6? The SRU already pays for the vast entourage out with the playing and coaching side to travel to World Cups (more on this in a sec…).

Secondly, why do we still have this romantic obsession with NZ? They are the best rugby nation in the world, sure, but will they aid our youth development? Scotland can imagine they play similar rugby but in reality this is not true. The national side now plays, and has done for the last 8 or so years, a game based on defence and taking point when we can.

For this reason players should be sent to learn all over. It would also help strengthen ties, globally.

Any back-rower or 10 they want to work on their off-the-cuff skills, sure, send them to NZ. However, any front 5 player and 10 looking to control a game with the boot should be sent to South Africa. Their game is built on kicking and brusque physicality. Flyers and centres who play unstructured rugby should go to Australia (only because France don’t do summer rugby!).  NZ does not hold all the answers. Not for Scotland.

Of course it comes down to money and in the end no one wants to take responsibility for development. Who is in charge of all development in Scotland? I am led to believe it is ‘Director of Performance rugby’ Graham Lowe. He has a remit that covers the ‘Big’ team and all the under-age teams as well. He has input into everything.

For me, though, his focus should always be on the youth. We all want a brighter future. Perhaps this is what saddens me when the SRU officially confirmed for me that Lowe will be at the RWC with the senior side in September. While many youngsters and former club and age-grade players will be looking to evolve or even being with pro-teams for the first time, and the Celtic League, B&I Cup and domestic Leagues rage on, Lowe will be in NZ. With a Scotland side that has been preparing for months and alongside Andy Robinson’s dedicated coaching team.

I know where I think he should be…

It is taken for granted that the financial state of our teams is perilous and money seems to be leaking out of Murrayfield. Funding for the 7s, B&I Cup and Club International are continually questioned by those only interested in our two pro teams and full international sides doing well. In my opinion the 7s and club endeavours are actually the best way to bring on talented youth so the answer must come from somewhere else.

Blame can go both ways. The SRU has no investors of note but they also need more from the fans. With no money the output is poorer. With poorer output less fans want to part with their wonga and attendances drop. If attendances drop and shirts aren’t selling there is less money. Scotland laments.

In short Scottish rugby needs to become sexy again.

Sexiness (and trust me, as a prop I know) is a state of mind. The more people talking about you the sexier you appear. For the SRU this is tough because they have a marketing department but no Head of Marketing. They are trying to market their brands but can they have a direction?

This is where the fans come in. In a previous piece I talked about David Smart’s open petition to the SRU. I would like to propose an open ‘suggestion box’ of sorts where real fans propose ways of getting more people interested in our games. The best ones can be sent to the SRU marketing department (addressed to ‘Brian’ because if there was a Head of Marketing he would definitely be called Brian).

I have a suggestion myself:

With our country we need to get more youths interested in playing as well as buying into ‘Scottish Rugby’. This is where the most attention should be paid. The problem with this is that it is marketed at children in a way which shows superhuman figures, like Jacobsen and Paterson, which kids can’t really relate to. More 14-year-olds will be fans of Justin Bieber than they will be of Bruce Springsteen. You have to give them something to identify with.

If I was working in the marketing office in the bowels of Murrayfield I would be trying, right now, to knock up posters and campaigns for youth teams heralding the Scotland U18s and their recent victory over England. “Stick in with your SRU accredited training sessions and YOU TOO could beat England one day!” “Look at former Currie youth section player Tom Brown: he’s just signed for Edinburgh! Who will be signing from YOUR youth team?!”

If more people are playing and investment comes into youth clubs and schools I like to think those youth clubs and schools could be encouraged to give back?

Sending two players for a Q and A session at a school in Eyemouth isn’t going to get kids pouring through the gates of Murrayfield and Firhill but if you get them into the junior District Championship or the under age national sides you could probably get them to buy some kit at the very least (as a proud Caley player I would certainly buy my kid a limited edition Canterbury Caley reds top. “What’s that? The Caley reds club select are playing the Baa-Baas?! I’ll buy a top!” Wishful thinking, maybe, but with the South regularly playing the SRU could try and make some money from it…).

How do we get Scotland selling again? We have seen how well Scotland, with our limited resources, can play when they are confident. Surely bigger crowds would give back that confidence and it could all move on from there. We do also need some support for our rising stars because those in the Under 18s or on the McPhail scholarship have to kick on and if there is less academy investment or the pro teams can’t look after younger guys then we fall down, again.

So give some suggestions and help out the SRU’s marketing department. Sexiness needs your help. The youth need your help. I need some help…