SCOTLAND youngsters continue their preparation for the U18 Men's Six Nations festival by taking on Wales this Sunday (March 19 2023) at St Helen’s, Swansea (kick off 1pm).

And the Scottish Borders will be represented by Ben White from Peebles, Fraser Wilson from Gala and Hector Patterson from Hawick.

The young side were in action last weekend, winning 56-15 away to Newcastle Falcons Academy U18s at Kingston Park.

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Two Scotland U18 sides, split into “Reds” and “Blues”, took on two Wales U18 sides at DAM Health Stadium on Sunday 4 March.

Players were selected for those squads based on performances in the U18 Intercity Derby, the four regional academy sides and their school/club sides.

Scotland will then travel to Dublin next month to take part in the U18 Six Nations Festival, with more details to be confirmed soon.

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Several of last year’s Scotland U18s squad went on to feature in the 2022 FOSROC Super6 and are currently representing Scotland U20 in the Under-20 Six Nations, including Scotland U20 Co-Captain Liam McConnell.

A 26-player training squad has been named by Head Coach Ross Miller, who will name a matchday squad later in the week.

Ahead of the fixture, Miller said: “It was good to get some competition in a game environment last weekend. Newcastle are a strong team and they really asked us some questions so it was a worthwhile part of the programme.

“We played against Wales before with two squads and for me exposing 50 players to that level of rugby is really the aim of that part of the programme. We’ve now reduced the squad and playing one game.

“The squad of 26 is exciting and it’s our first real test with that smaller squad which we’re really looking forward to.

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“The players are obviously really looking forward to Sunday as well. What I’ve picked up from the group so far is that they’re enjoying the programme, they’re definitely being challenged and they have a real appetite for more.

“They learn quickly, they’re starting to adapt, and they have a really good work ethic which is key to our programme.”

Scotland U18 Squad

Forwards: Ollie Bowden* (GHA RFC), (Ben White* Peebles RFC), Seb Stephen* (Glenalmond College / Aberdeen Grammar RFC), Ollie Blyth-Lafferty* (Boroughmuir RFC), Christian Lindsay* (Loretto), Fraser Wilson*  (Gala RFC), Oliver Duncan* (Edinburgh Academy), Craig Nolan* (Glasgow Hawks RFC), Fergus Wood* (George Heriots School), Joe Roberts* (Robert Gordons College), Keita Ando (SC Frankfurt 1880/Sedbergh), Bart Godsell (Gloucester Academy/Marling), Charlie Moss (Marlow Rugby/Shiplake College/Wasps), Finn Spurway* (Glenalmond College)

Backs: Hector Patterson* (Hawick RFC),Hugo Alderson (Stewart’s Melville College), Isaac Coates* (Merchiston Castle), Matthew Urwin* (St Aloysius), Ben Morriss (Deeside/Gordonians RFC), Johnny Ventisei* (St Aloysius / GHA RFC), Jack Brown* (George Watsons College), Sam Leweni* (Queen Victoria School), Fergus Watson* (Biggar RFC), Samuel Rockley (London Irish/Bishop Wand/London Irish Academy), Joe Townshend (Strathallan School), Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Yorkshire Academy/Wellington College)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Players

Tickets for the match against Wales U18 will be available at St Helen’s only.

Public gates open from midday, and tickets are priced £5 for adults and are free for children under 16.

Tickets on the gate are cash only, if spectators need to pay by card they need to go to the main reception area on Bryn Road.