Georgia test awaits young Scots

A Scotland U19 development side will face Georgia at Meggetland this afternoon as a curtain-raiser for the senior sides clashing in the final game of the November Test Series this Saturday.

The development squad is an extension of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, and is used as a platform to give players international age-grade experience with a view to preparing them for further Scotland honours.

The side has faced Japan in doubleheaders the previous two years, and welcomes a new challenge in Georgia, who this year finished 10th in the World Rugby U20 Championship following a narrow 24-27 defeat to France.

Head of international age-grade Sean Lineen said: “We’re delighted to be able to host a strong and experienced Georgia outfit as part of our age-grade development programme.

“This match provides the chance for players – all who are vying for a spot in the Scotland under-20 squad this season or next – to show they can be competitive on the international stage. “Games like this are vital for player development and we’re looking forward to what promises to be an exciting match.” Of the 23-man squad selected for the encounter, 11 are members of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, with the whole starting side playing for homebased clubs or schools. A further two members of the squad – prop George Thornton and scrum-half Ruaridh Dawson – have represented Scotland at under-20 level. Lineen added: “The vast majority of our squad are part of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, and we want to see them making the best use of their training in that high-performance environment and making the transition to perform at international age-grade level. “This is a huge opportunity for those involved to prove their worth and really stake a claim for a Scotland shirt.”

This is a huge opportunity for those involved to prove their worth and stake a claim for a Scotland shirt. SEAN LINEEN