Scotland U20s set for Six Nations opener against Italy
Head coach Kenny Murray has named his Scotland U20 squad for their opening match of the 2025 U20 Six Nations against Italy U20 at Hive Stadium this Friday (kick-off 7.15pm).
The game marks Scotland U20’s return to competitive action following their triumph in the World Rugby U20 Trophy last summer, a victory that secured their place in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.
In the front row, Oliver McKenna starts at loosehead prop alongside tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and hooker Joe Roberts. Dan Halkon partners Charlie Moss in the second row, while the back row features blindside flanker Christian Lindsay, openside Billy Allen, and number 8 Reuben Logan.
At half-back, Noah Cowan lines up at scrum-half with Matthew Urwin at fly-half. Captain Johnny Ventisei starts at inside centre, forming a midfield partnership with Kerr Yule.
The back three sees Fergus Watson on the left wing, Guy Rogers on the right, and Jack Brown at full-back.
On the bench, Seb Stephen provides cover at hooker, with Jake Shearer and Ryan Whitefield set to bolster the front row. Lock Bart Godsell and back-row Oliver Duncan complete the forward replacements.
Among the backs, Hector Patterson is named as the scrum-half replacement, with Ross Wolfenden offering options at stand-off and full-back, while Nairn Moncrieff covers the back three.
Looking ahead to the tournament opener, Murray said:
“The group are really excited to get the Six Nations underway. We’ve been in camp for a while now so it’s great to have a game to look forward to this weekend.
“The group have trained a lot together in the past few weeks, and we’re really happy with how they’ve come on. It will be great to see them in the competitive environment of an U20 Six Nations game.
“We want to put in a performance that we can be proud of, and this is the starting point for us as we build towards the U20 Championship in the summer, so it’s important that we start as we mean to go on and play like we know this squad can.”
Scotland team to face Italy
15. Jack Brown – Edinburgh Rugby
14. Guy Rogers – University of Surrey/Harlequins
13. Johnny Ventisei – Captain – Glasgow Warriors
12. Kerr Yule – Glasgow Warriors
11. Fergus Watson – Glasgow Warriors
10. Matthew Urwin – Glasgow Warriors
9. Noah Cowan – Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders
1. Oliver McKenna – Glasgow Warriors
2. Joe Roberts – Glasgow Warriors
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
4. Charlie Moss – Montpellier
5. Dan Halkon – Glasgow Warriors
6. Christian Lindsay – Loretto School/Edinburgh Rugby
7. Billy Allen – Dungannon RFC
8. Reuben Logan – Northampton Saints
Replacements:
16. Seb Stephen – Edinburgh Academical FC
17. Jake Shearer – Glasgow Warriors
18. Ryan Whitefield – Biggar RFC
19. Bart Godsell – Loughborough University
20. Oliver Duncan – Edinburgh Rugby
21. Hector Patterson – Edinburgh Rugby
22. Ross Wolfenden – Edinburgh Rugby
23. Nairn Moncrieff – Edinburgh Rugby
Italy U20 men national teams news
The Azzurrini are ready to make kick off their 2025 U20 Six Nations, with the Italians hoping for a 2024 U20 Six Nations repeat where they beat Scotland 47-14 in round four.
Italy will be hoping to get off to a good start in the Championship, with the team working hard during the week, as explained by Santamaria himself: "The preparation for this debut has been positive for what we have seen on the pitch. The training sessions with the senior national team last week gave us an extra boost in terms of speed of play and movement.
Now we must focus on physical and mental recovery to face an important away match like Edinburgh. We will face a growing team like Scotland: a tough and physical match awaits us, but the spirit of the boys is right: we are waiting for kick-off with a sense of anticipation that I am sure will be beneficial in terms of performance on the pitch".
Scotland v Italy will be refereed by English referee Sara Cox. The assistants will be her compatriots Anthony Woodthorpe and Joe James, while the TMO will be entrusted to Welshman Adam Jones.
The Azzurrini lineup for Scotland U20 v Italy U20
15. Gianmarco Pietramala (Unione Rugby Firenze)
14. Jules Ducros (Montpellier Herault Rugby)
13. Federico Zanandrea (Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
12. Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints Academy)
11. Malik Faissal (Rugby Parma FC 1931)
10. Roberto Fasti (Rugby Casale)
9. Niccolò Beni (Biarritz Olympique)
8. Giacomo Milano (Captain, Rugby Noceto FC)
7. Nelson Casartelli (Rugby Country)
6. Antony Miranda (Rugby Country)
5. Enoch Opoku Gyamfi (Bath Rugby Academy)
4. Tommaso Redondi (Verona Rugby)
3. Bruno Vallesi (Rugby Viadana 1970)
2. Alessio Caiolo Serra (Stade Olympique Chambérien Rugby)
1. Sergio Pelliccioli (Rugby Petrarch)Available:
Replaements:
16. Giacomo Casiraghi (Biella Rugby Club)
17. Christian Brasini (Livorno Rugby)
18. Nicola Bolognini (Rugby Badia 1981)
19. Pietro Melegari (Cus Torino)
20. Carlo Antonio Bianchi (Unione Rugby Firenze)
21. Matteo Bellotto (Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
22. Pietro Celi (Livorno Rugby)
23. Giacomo Ndoumbe Lobe (Rugby Paese)
