Match Report | Spain U20 20-43 Scotland U20

The match began with a strong start from the men in blue as a perfectly executed lineout allowed hooker Corey Tait to get his hands on the ball, slip through the defence and dive over the line.

A penalty was soon conceded by the Scots for not rolling, allowing Spain to take a penalty kick, which was knocked over.

After a few unsuccessful attempts to add to the scoreboard from both sides, some strong attack from the forwards allowed Scotland to make their way back down the pitch where co-captain Ben Afshar found the space and barrelled through the defence to the line. Richie Simpson finished off nicely with a successful conversion, bringing the visitors up another seven points.

A few minutes later, a crafty lineout got the ball into the hands of Jonny Smith who tanked his way past the Spanish defence and over the line once again.

The Spanish responded shortly after when full back Gabriel Rocaries put his foot on the gas and sprinted over their line from halfway.

The next points for Scotland came soon after when Ben Afshar added his second try by finding space and racing the pitch, avoiding the Spanish defence on his way. Richie Simpson made the extras.

Another penalty awarded to Scotland for Spain not releasing gave the visitors a scrum close to the Spaniards’ try line. Co-captain Liam McConnell got his hands on the ball and bulldozed past the Spanish defence right under the posts. Ben Afshar took over kicking duties as Richie Simpson was taken off field for injury, and he finished the first half off nicely with a successful conversion.

Half Time: Spain U20 8-31 Scotland U20

The second-half scoring was underway when a nifty pass from Ben Salmon out to Finn Douglas allowed the winger to dive over the whitewash in the corner. Andy Mclean took over kicking duties and his kick was successful.

After a series of determined pick-and-go’s from the Spanish, the home team scored their second try of the evening with a successful conversion.

Almost immediately after, the Spanish openside flanker found space in the Scottish defence and sprinted down the pitch, adding another five points. Conversion was unsuccessful.

A quick tap and go from a free kick was what did it to allow Jerry Blyth-Lafferty his chance at scoring – and he added the final try of the game, sealing the victory for the Scots with the last play.

Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “It was a really important game for us to get preparation for the World Rugby U20 Trophy.

“I thought it was a rusty performance which I expected as the guys haven’t played together very much over the last wee while, so we’ve got a lot of learning to do with understanding the consequences of international rugby as we move towards next month.”

Full time: Spain U20 20-43 Scotland U20

Scotland

Tries: Corey Tait, Ben Afshar (2), Jonny Smith, Liam McConnell, Finn Douglas, Jerry Blyth-Lafferty
Conversions: Richie Simpson (2), Ben Afshar, Andy Mclean

15. Dan King 14. Finn Douglas 13. Ben Salmon 12. Kerr Yule 11. Geordie Gwynn 10. Richie Simpson 9. Ben Afshar (CC) 1. Craig Davidson 2. Corey Tait 3. Callum Norrie 4. Eddie Erskine 5. Jake Parkinson 6. Liam McConnell (CC) 7. Jonny Smith 8. Jonny Morris

Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 17. Robbie Deans 18. Oliver Minnis 19. Ruaraidh Hart 20. Sam Derrick 21. Finlay Burgess 22. Fin Thomas 23. Andy Mclean 24. Finn Duraj 25. Max Surry 26. Kerr Johnston

Spain

15. Gabriel Rocaries 14. Nicolas Gomez 13. Martin Sorreluz 12. Yago Fernandez 11. Mario Coronado 10. Marcel Sirvent 9. Pablo Perez 1. Rodrigo Pelaz 2. Alvaro Garcia 3. Jacobo Ruiz 4. Jaime Borondo 5. Antonio Suarez 6. Ignacio Pineiro 7. Borja Ibanez 8. Manex Ariceta

Replacements: 16. Diego Gonzalez 17. Guido Reyes 18. Martin Pena 19. Valentino Rizzo 20. Daniel Sacristan 21. Tomeu Fluxa 22. Alvaro Vilchez 23. Guillermo Boland 24. Beau Peart 25. Dani Catanzaro 26. Eloy de la Pisa 27. Noah Canepa 28. Nacho Vega 29. Javier Lopez 30. Aniol Franch

Cover photo: Isabel Romero Ruiz