Pringle names squad for Junior World Championship

The squad will travel to Georgia for three pool stage games against Italy, New Zealand and Japan at the AIA Arena, Kutaisi, before playing further fixtures to decide the final standings.

Four props return from the 2025 U20 World Championship in the shape of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Oliver McKenna, Jamie Stewart and Will Pearce. They are joined by Glasgow Warriors tighthead Jackson Rennie.

Hooker Joe Roberts, named as one of two co-captains, is selected having played in all five games last year. Jack Utterson was a late call-up last year, and is included from the start this time around along with Jamie McAughtrie, who made his U20 debut during the 2026 Six Nations.

Finlay Mather, son of former Scotland back-row forward Cameron, has a chance to make a competitive debut, with Alfie Blackett and Dan Halkon the other out-and-out locks, while hybrid second row/flankers Sam Byrd, Christian Lindsay and Archie Appleby have also made the squad.

There is a further potential debutant in the shape of Harry Jackaman is, who completes the  back rowers alongside Harvey Preston and Oliver Finlayson-Russell.

In the backs, Asa Stewart-Harris, who featured for the first time in the loss to Wales U20 on Friday, is included with fellow scrum-halves Hamish MacArthur and Matthew Fick.

Stand-off and 2026 U20 Six Nations Player of the Championship nominee Jake Dalziel makes the squad, as does Ross Wolfenden who has featured at stand-off as well as centre and full-back for Scotland U20. Wolfenden is also named as a co-captain.

In the centres, Alex Bryden and Harry Soboil could make their competitive debuts with Henry Kesterton and Campbell Waugh recovering from injuries to make the squad.

Nairn Moncrieff returns from last year’s squad to compete for back three positions, with Rory McHaffie included after debuting in the Six Nations. Daniel Kelly and Ewan Caven are the final two hoping for their competitive debuts in the championship.

Head coach Fergus Pringle said: “Playing in the World Championship will be another step up for our players from the 6 Nations, and we are well prepared for what is ahead.

“We’ve had a good block of preparation, the players have worked extremely hard, training in Edinburgh and playing against Ireland and Wales.

“There are some faces in the squad that weren’t involved in the Six Nations, and we’re excited to see how they take their opportunities in Georgia. Squad depth will be very important with five day turnarounds between games and going with a 17-13 split across the forwards and backs gives us a good balance to our squad.

“We have young and exciting backs coming through, as well as some experienced backs  in key positions.

“We have a number of experienced players in our front five with four of our props returning from last year. This experience of returning players will help the group going into the tournament .’’

“There has been a lot of competition for places and some tough decisions when finalising the squad of 30. There were some guys who were very unfortunate to miss out and that shows the strength and depth that we are developing.

“Coaching wise we’ve added Duncan Weir and Henry Pyrgos to our coaching group for the upcoming championship and they’ve made an immediate impact in our environment in terms of their standards and how they operate. Everything is now geared towards being ready for the big challenge we face against Italy in our first game.’’

Junior World Championship Fixtures (UK times)

Saturday 27 June: Italy v Scotland, 10am
Thursday 2 July: New Zealand v Scotland, 3pm
Tuesday 7 July: Scotland v Japan, 12.30pm

Where to watch? Premier Sports and Rugby Pass TV

Scotland Men U20 Squad for 2026 Junior World Championship

Forwards

Archie Appleby (Northampton Saints)
Alfie Blackett (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby)
Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors)
Harry Jackaman (Watsonian FC)
Christian Lindsay (Edinburgh Rugby)
Finlay Mather (Grammar Tec)
Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
Will Pearce (Bristol Bears/Cardiff Metropolitan University)
Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)
Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors)
Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors) Co-Captain
Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby)

Backs

Alex Bryden (Glasgow Warriors)
Ewan Caven (Gloucester Rugby/Nottingham University)
Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle School/Melrose RFC)
Matthew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby)
Dan Kelly (Watsonian FC)
Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
Hamish MacArthur (Edinburgh Rugby)
Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)
Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby)
Harry Soboil (Edinburgh Rugby)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens)
Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks)
Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby) Co-Captain