Young Prop heading to U18 Six Nations Festival in Italy
It has been announced that Highland player Lochlan Hodge has been selected to represent the Scotland U18 squad at the U18 Six Nations Festival in Parma, Italy this weekend. This achievement follows his earlier selection for the Scotland U18 A team, where he played in Wales on March 2nd.
Head Coach David Carson expressed his delight at Lochlan’s selection:
“All the coaches who have worked with him are absolutely delighted for Lochlan. He has worked tirelessly this season, especially transitioning from the back row to the front row.”
Carson added, “It’s unbelievable how quickly he has adapted to such a specialized position and earned a spot on the national U18 team. We wish him all the best and eagerly anticipate seeing him don the green and red jersey in the 1st XV next season.”
First XV Coach Brian Bell also praised Lochlan’s achievement:
“We’re thrilled with Lochlan’s inclusion in the Scotland U18s 6 Nations squad. It’s a well-deserved reward for his skills and talent, as well as the incredible commitment shown by him and his family, who regularly travel to the Central Belt for training and matches.”
Bell continued, “Lochlan has trained extensively with our senior team throughout the season, and our collaboration with Scottish Rugby coaches has helped manage his playing opportunities and training schedule. His selection is a testament to his potential, and he’s definitely a player to watch for the future.”
The 2024 competition marks the third successive staging of the U18 Six Nations festival, featuring all Six Nations Unions. Notably, the U18 Men’s festival now includes Georgia and Portugal for the first time. Perhaps a new name is in order!
The competition serves as a crucial step in the development pathway for young athletes, providing a platform for some of the brightest talents in the game to showcase their skills on the international stage.
The men’s festival will take place at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy, from Saturday, March 30th to Sunday, April 7th.
FIR (Federation Italian Rugby) President Marzio Innocenti stated:
“The Under 18’s Festival represents a pivotal moment in the development journey for the future stars of the Championship. We are delighted to host the 2024 edition in Parma. The Lanfranchi Stadium, which hosts Zebre’s home matches and our Italian Women’s 6 Nations matches, is an ideal venue for our young players to experience an exhilarating competition that will forge lasting bonds and create cherished memories.”
Scotland will compete in 70-minute matches against Georgia, England, and Italy.
Each festival will adhere to the community tackle height framework, and all matches will be available for viewing on Six Nations channels.
If we locate it, the club will release a new post with the broadcast information.
Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival Fixtures