Pringle names squad for Japan test on Tuesday

For their final Pool B encounter against Japan, Campbell Waugh comes in for Alex Bryden in the centre and new Edinburgh Rugby Academy scrum-half Matthew Fick replaces Asa Stewart Harris who drops to the bench.

In the forwards Christian Lindsay switches from the back-row into the second row; Alfie Blackett comes out of the squad and is replaced by Sam Byrd.

Daniel Kelly has scored in both matches so far and he keeps his place on the wing. Likewise Harvey Preston, who touched down against New Zealand, also retains his slot.

Double try-scorer on Thursday, Joe Roberts, will captain the side.

Jake Dalziel converted three of the four tries in the last match and he will partner Fick at half-back, the latter having made his first appearance for the 20s in the Junior World Championship after coming over from South Africa. The highly-rated scrum-half qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, who hails from Inverness.

On the bench, Finlay Mather, who is the son of former Scotland forward Cammy Mather, who played in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, comes in.

Scotland face a Japan side who have lost their opening two games, against Italy and New Zealand.

Head coach Fergus Pringle said: “Last Thursday was a brilliant test for the group against New Zealand and there were areas of the performance that we took a lot of heart from.

“The never-say-die attitude from the team in that game was something I was very proud of. To score in the final moments showed that this group of players never give up and, coupled with the win over Italy, we go into Tuesday’s match with a lot of confidence but also a desire to right some of the things that could have gone better against New Zealand.

“We have full respect for the Japanese who we know will give us a stern test.

“We’ve made a few tweaks to the team which we thought was important given this is the third game in quick succession but consistency in a number of areas was key too as we want to continue the good work done in the first couple of games.”

Scotland U20 team to play Japan in the 2026 World Rugby Junior Championship on Tuesday 7 July at the AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Georgia (kick-off 3.30pm local time, 12.30pm BST) – live on Premier Sports and Rugby Pass TV: 

15. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Daniel Kelly (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
11. Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle/Newcastle Red Bulls
9. Matthew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby)

1.Ollie McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Christian Lindsay (Edinburgh Rugby)
5. Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)

Replacements

16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
17. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors)
19. Finlay Mather (Grammar Tec)
20. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
21. Asa Stewart Harris (Saracens)
22. Alex Bryden (Glasgow Warriors)
23. Ewan Caven (Gloucester Rugby/Nottingham University)