SCOTLAND U20 Head Coach Kenny Murray has announced his squad for the upcoming 2023 Under-20 Six Nations campaign.

And there are a few familiar faces to fans of rugby in the Borders.

The 34-man squad contains two Gala players, Harris Rutherford and Murray Wilson, two Southern Knights, Rudi Brown who played for Hawick last season and Sam Derrick and Hawick's Corey Tait who now plays for Boroughmuir Bears.

In addition, former Knight Ben Afshar who is now at Ayrshire Bulls is also in the squad along with former Hawick player Ben Evans, and former Duns player Johnny Rutherford. 

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The announcement comes before the championship’s opening round next week, when those players selected will travel to face England at the Twickenham Stoop, London on Friday February 3, kick-off 7pm – live on BBC iPlayer.

Murray’s squad is made up of 19 forwards and 15 backs, with seven players returning to the U20 age-grade side after representing their country in the 2022 Under-20 Six Nations or 2022 Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series. There are 10 players included in the squad have progressed from the Scotland U18 level squad who took part in the 2022 Six Nations Festival in France last year.

The Scotland team will welcome Wales for their first home match of the championship on Friday 10 February at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow (kick-off 7.15pm) and then take the trip to Agen to play France at Armandie Stadium on 24 February (kick-off 8pm).

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The tournament continues after a fallow week when Ireland come to Scotstoun on Friday 10 March (kick-off 7.15pm) and concludes with the final home fixture against Italy on Sunday 19 March at Scotstoun (kick-off 2pm).

All of Scotland’s U20 Six Nations matches will be available to watch live in the UK on BBC iPlayer.

Scotland U20 Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “We had a tough campaign last year although that gave a number of our players the experience of a high-pressure international playing environment. I feel pleased about our preparations as we head into the Under-20 2023 Six Nations.

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“We’ve been able to name a strong squad today although there are a number of players still to return from injury who may be added to the squad over the course of the Championship.

“Over the past year in the role I’ve been able to build strong relationships with the players, and a new coaching group, as we develop them into not only great rugby players but great people too.

“I have been impressed by the players commitment to their craft across the course of the programme and I’m looking forward to what will be an exciting campaign ahead.”