SCOTLAND Under-18s open their international season on Sunday at Kingston Park, home of Newcastle Falcons, where they face an England side battle-hardened by their win over France last month.

For the young Scots the challenge could not be greater. England have won the FIRA-AER (now European Rugby) under-18 championship for the past three seasons and will be favourites to win the title in this year's competition in Toulouse beginning in the last week of March.

The last time Scotland played England in Newcastle, in 2009, the result was a discouraging 63-0 defeat to an English side containing the likes of current senior international players, Mako and Billy Vunipola and stand-off George Ford. Since then Scotland have had one win and in general have narrowed what seemed then an unbridgeable gap by working hard on player development in the age grades.

"Playing them first up means we will need boys to raise their game and adapt to the tempo and level England will play at, and do so quickly." said Scotland under-18 head coach, Eddie Pollock, adding : "Our line-out is strong, we've got some flair in attack - bolstered by pace in the back three - and we have the ability to pose a lot of threats going forward."

The Scots' line-out will be helped by the experience of the talented Callum Hunter-Hill, who played at this level last season, alongside winger Robbie Nairn, who scored a brace of tries in the Brewin Dolphin Cup final.