Hodgson eyes win in Bari as early birthday present

Scotland under-20 second-row Jamie Hodgson wants to end the age-grade Six Nations on a high with a win in Italy this afternoon – giving himself an early birthday present in the process.

Watsonians’ Hodgson, pictured, turns 20 on Monday and he has been named as vicecaptain to centre Stafford Mcdowall for the test in Bari (3pm local time).

Scotland are feeling pretty good ahead of the match after a win over England and a losing bonus point against Ireland, but Italy will be in fine fettle after their 18-7 away win in Wales last week.

“The heart and desire was something else in the England game and we will have to show that again and more in this one,” Hodgson said.

“Whether we are away or at home we have to bring that and I think looking back to the first 20 minutes in Ireland we were caught a bit of guard.

“We need a good start in Italy or they will settle and we know having watched videos that they have some dangerous players.

“In this tournament we have come on massive amounts. “It is tough with the double sessions and the hard training weeks, but it is a great experience and I have enjoyed it a lot.

“You have seen in the past that the under-20s teams always build through the Six Nations into the World Cup and we hope we can do that too. With the big tournament coming up in the summer time, this is an exciting squad.”