U20 Preview: Scotland v England

What they said

U20 Head Coach Fergus Pringle said: “A lot of hard work went into that game, a good two months’ worth of prep. We went in with a clear plan, and we felt the boys executed it really well.

“We wanted to try and get a win away from home, we hadn’t done that in my time here and we know Italy is a tough place to go and get a win so that really was very pleasing. We need to move on pretty quick and focus on the week ahead because we know it’s going to be a massive challenge against England.

“It’s really unfortunate for Henry, he injured himself while scoring a try. Ross comes back in recovered and he’s been training really well; he brings some stability and experience so I’m certain he’ll pick up where Henry left off last Friday.

“It’s a big game, It’s England week. But to be honest our main focus is on ourselves, how we prepare and get everything ready to be sure to control the things that we can. We’ll have to be at our very best to challenge England in any way.”

Stand-off Jake Dalziel said: “We know England’s quality, they’ve got some unbelievable players in their backline and their forwards are really physical. But we’re full focused on what’s ahead and trying to repeat what we did last Friday.

“Coming in on Sunday the buzz in the group was up another level, even the guys that didn’t play are buzzing to fight for that jersey and get out in front of a home crowd.”

The teams

The stats

• Scotland conceded the fewest number of turnovers of any team in round 1, conceding only 10.
• Scotland were one of two teams to achieve a 100% ruck success rate at 92, with France being the only other completing all 69.
• Scotland lock Alfie Blackett claimed more lineouts than any other player in Round 1 of this year’s U20 Six Nations (9); in fact, it was the most lineout takes of any Scotland player in the Championship since 2021 (Euan Ferrie, 9 v Wales).
• A win tomorrow would be Scotland U20’s first back-to-back home wins in the Six Nations since 2016, having beat Wales last time out at Hive Stadium, and their first consecutive wins in the tournament since 2015; it would also be the first time since the U20 Six Nations began that Scotland have started with two wins.