Scotland U20s 'want to come off the pitch knowing we've not left anything out there' – Ventisei
Yesterday at 11:37 AM
Age grade captain Johnny Ventisei believes that after a difficult couple of games and a much fallow week, Scotland’s age grade side return with an opportunity to showcase what the experience has taught them.
Kenny Murray’s side have suffered defeat in their opening two games, going down to Italy then Ireland. The latter earning a bonus point after a quarter of the game played.
“Looking back we’re disappointed with the first 20 minutes against Ireland,” said Ventisei.
“It made it quite hard for us to come back but I think the last 60 minutes really showed what we’re about.”
Ventisei, a member of the Glasgow Warriors academy, has performed admirably both as member of the side’s attack and in his duties as a leader, finding a way to rally his side to score three tries after the calamitous start.
“It’s about a reset. Obviously it’s tough when they get a couple of scores you kind of lose what to say,” said the 19 year old.
“The main thing is we reset and I think we did that pretty well after that.”
Featuring off the bench in their 17-30 defeat around this time last year, Ventisei is acutely aware of England’s quality.
“We know they’re a good side. They’ve shown that in the last couple of years in the World Cup and Six Nations.”
Yet the skipper is also a firm believer in the talents of his teammates as they came into this tournament U20 Trophy champions, the second tier to the World Championship which they have earned promotion to.
“We should go out with confidence in how we play and match physically,” he said.
England might be World and Six Nations champions at this level but Ventisei denies that there is any tension in camp ahead of their trip to Newcastle. If anything, the defeats have acted as a bonding agent.
“Definitely not. We just want to be able to put our best performance out there, coming off the pitch knowing that we’ve not left anything out there,” said the former GHA RFC player.
“We’re a really close group of guys. I think these results have pulled us closer and made us more eager to come away with the result that we want.”
Despite Sione Tuipulotu’s injury, Ventisei has his sights firmly set on the weekend rather than any potential openings at club level.
“It’s too soon, all my focus is on this game,”
“My dream is to play for Glasgow but my sole focus is to just play against England.”
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