Highland welcome was key for coach
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Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher swaps a round ball for an oval one ahead of the under-20 Scotland rugby international at the Caledonian Stadium.
THE backing from North supporters last year convinced Scotland under-20 coach Peter Wright to bring Six Nations rugby back to Inverness this month.
And the former Scotland and British Lions’ prop can’t wait for his young guns to take on Ireland at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium next Friday (Feb 25).
As part of the Scottish Rugby Union’s (SRU’s) commitment to the sport at this level, entry is free.
Scotland have played two matches so far in this year’s Six Nations under-20 championship.
They lost 49-5 away to an excellent France team in their opener before going down 33-3 against Wales in Stirling last Friday, in a match marred by a brawl which saw a player from each side sent off.
With Scotland still looking for their first win, the backing of the fans in Inverness can help drive the Lions on.
Inverness was the venue last year when Scotland’s under-20s held the French 8-8 in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 people.
Such was the atmosphere, Wright said the coaches and players requested one of their home fixtures this season should be in the Highland capital.
He explained: “Last year was fantastic, even though there was a bit of travel involved. The pitch, stadium, atmosphere and overall welcome in Inverness was terrific and we asked to take the Ireland game here.
“It’s right that the SRU let everyone in for free and I’m sure the public will back the team. Times are tight for everyone these days, so what better way than to help people than to let them see this game for free?
“Last year proved that the crowd in Inverness can drive the players on.”
Although one or two key men could miss out due to club commitments for the visitors, Wright believes that Ireland still possess real threats.
He explained: “You never know what standard of Irish team will come here. It works a bit differently at this level in that the clubs can choose whether or not to release the players and some are involved in the Magners League, but it has the makings of being an exciting game.
“Sometimes against Ireland, you feel as if they have 30 players on the pitch, not 15. Like Scotland, they are passionate and proud.”
So who are the young Lions that will be most likely to impress the Highland public?
Wright said: “Harry Leonard at stand-off is an excellent player, as are Mark Bennett and Stuart Hogg. They are all good with the ball in hand and can beat players with a step. Although we maybe don’t have any stars as such, we have good movement as a team and will be out to get the win against the Irish.”
The Scotland coach rates France and England as the best in the competition at under-20 level, but he’s keen to look at the bigger picture as youngsters eye the chance to star for the seniors in a few years.
He said: “Against France, we have seven or eight lads who were still eligible for the under-19s, but we brought them forward. This is how they will learn best.
“The players will have learned from the France game. They were simply better, faster and fitter than us. There were flashes and we did threaten the French line.
“France and England do particularly well in this competition, but when you consider the difference in population, that’s no surprise. France had 800 players to choose from recently, whereas we had 60. The standard of play for their players is far more intense than what our young lads experience.
“I see the under-20s competition as a big development tool. You look for example at Richie Gray, who is now in the senior squad, he was under-20 a few years ago.”
The other Scotland fixtures in this year’s championships are – March 11 England (away, Newbury) and March 18 Italy (home, Stirling).
