Two changes as Young Scots plot French upset

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France are “in for a shock” says U20s head coach Kenny Murray, if they think Scotland are “going over there and just lie down and let them play” as his side prepare for a tough test in Paris on Friday night.

There are two changes to the starting XV that beat Wales last week, securing their first win in the competition since 2023, as hooker Seb Stephens and second-row Bart Godsell come in for Joe Roberts and Charlie Moss respectively.

“Joe’s had a few starts, he’s played quite a lot of minutes in the campaign,” he said. “I just felt Seb probably deserved to get a run as well.”

Rewarded for strong performances since cutting his year at Waikato University short to join the successful World Trophy campaign, Stephens has also been invited to train with the Glasgow Warriors after the U20 Six Nations.

Godsell, currently plying his trade at Loughborough University, has been given a return to the lock berth after impressing in his cameo against Wales.

“(Bart’s) done really well when he’s come off the bench,” said Murray, “what he’s done on the pitch and in training deserves a start again France.”

The increasing depth at U20s a pleasing development for the coach, who is also acutely aware of the embarrassment of riches their opponents possess, with “God knows how players they could pick for U20s” joked Murray.

Numerous too will be the spectators, as the game takes place at the Stade Jean-Bouin, home to Stade Français and holding a capacity of almost 20,000, although Murray’s full focus will be towards what is on the pitch itself.

“They’ve got a real good balance on their team, pretty physical up front but their rugby and their speed and agility out in the backs is excellent.”

However Murray believes his side have enough about them to cause a stir in the capital.

“We’ve shown in our game we have nothing to lose, so we can go out there with full confidence and go and have a go at them,” he said. “We’ve already showed this year, if we get opportunities in attack, we can take them.”

Impressed not only by the ‘catch-drive’ from his forwards which he said “has been excellent” but also from the fact that they are yet to concede a try from them so far, the first team to deny Wales one this year.

Variety has also been crucial in turning efforts in training into results, which Murray believes is just one reason why his side can give their opponents, currently sitting in second, a keenly fought contest to cap off a tournament that has served as a great education for his young players.

Scotland U20s line-up to face France:

Scotland: Brown, Moncrieff, Hunter, Yule, Watson, Urwin, Cowan; McKenna, Stephen, Blyth-Lafferty, Godsell, Halkon, Duncan, Douglas (c), Logan

Replacements: Roberts, Shearer, Stewart, Moss, Fyffe, MacArthur, Wolfenden, van Wyk

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