Report: Scotland U18 12-29 Spain U18

Scotland had an excellent opportunity within the first two minutes after Ashton Young offloaded to Dan Shellard, but a phase later Young lost it forward on the line.

Spain then got a string of penalties and got themselves over the line for the first try, with Chukwuemeka Duruh making metres up the left and Ignacio Navarette finishing from close range soon after. (0-7, 10 mins)

Scotland were then caught holding on at the breakdown and from 40 metres out in front of the posts, Mateo Gorgues went for goal and dissected the posts. (0-10, 15 mins)

From almost the exact same mark two minutes later, Gorgues went for goal again but this time pushed his kick wide to the right.

And then, Scotland sprung to life. A disjointed kick chase from Spain saw Rory McHaffie find space on his own 10 metre line, and the full back sprinted over from 60 metres for an excellent solo effort. (5-10, 19 mins)

Straight away Scotland gave away a penalty from kick off. It was fairly straightforward for Gorgues to kick from on the 22, but he rattled the post and Scotland escaped.

The escape was short lived though, as another penalty was gifted, which resulted in a yellow card, and from the lineout, Spain mauled their way over the line, with Josep Verderger dotting down in the right corner. (5-15, 24 mins)

Verderger got his second of the afternoon just before half time, after Christian Lindsay had done well to stop a maul on the line but the hooker carried over from the next phase. (5-22, 35 mins)

Half time: Scotland U18 5-22 Spain U18

Despite a second yellow card just before the break, the first try of the second half went to Scotland, which was crucial for any potential comeback. A chip over the top was gathered eventually on the left, and when it was recycled down the right Will Corbett broke free, rounded the last man and scored on the right. Ben MacDougall slotted the touchline conversion. (12-22, 46 mins)

But Spain weathered a mini-storm and then ended any hope of a Scottish revival after a chip over the top was gathered by Lucas Gomez and finished. (12-29, 58 mins)

Full time: Scotland U18 12-29 Spain U18

Reaction: Head Coach Ross Miller said: “We’ve got a group of really disappointed players following the match. Over the festival they’ve made some good progression and will continue to learn quickly from some harsh lessons.”

“A few challenges came our way with the yellow cards and injuries to key players early on. However we created enough opportunities to have scoring chances and apply pressure. Credit to Spain, they played well, took their chances and defended with good intent.

“This experience has given all the players the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level of U18 rugby. Some U18 players will now move into U19 programmes and regular senior environments. The U17 players will move into a camp in May as a start to the U18 season, and we also have a summer development camp in Italy during August.”

Scotland U18: 15. Rory McHaffie 14. Luca Mathieson 13. Ben McDonald 12. Joe Taylor 11. Glen Gammell 10. Henry Widdowson 9.  Cameron Trayler 1. Max Morrison 2. Dan Casserly 3. Oliver Anderson 4. Dan Shellard 5. Will Lockhart 
6. Ashton Young 7. Jack Nesbitt 8. Harry Jackaman CAPTAIN

Replacements: 16. Jack Utterson 17. Logan Hendrie 18. Jackson Rennie 19. Christian Lindsay 20. Harvey Preston 21. Gregor Johnston  22. Lloyd Moncrieff 23. Ben MacDougall 24. Harry Clark 25. Will Corbett 26. David Barrie

Spain U18: 15. Telmo Obieta 14. Ignacio Guzman 13. Pablo Diaz 12. Alonso Gonzalez 11. Chukwuemeka Duruh 10. Mateo Gorgues 9. Guillem Bernadich 1. Ignacio Navarette 2. Josep Verderger 3. Chidera Ibeoba 4. Unax Fernandez 5. Mark Alvarez 6. Marcos Lopez 7. Unax Salvador Asama 8 Marcos Rodriguez CAPTAIN

Replacements: 16. Federico Moreno 17. Jon Rodriguez 18. David Amores 19. Lucas Martin 20. Markel Alcerreca 21. Pau Fernandez 22. Bernat Sierra 23. Marc Bohigues 24. Lucas Gomez 25. Pedro Bueno 26. Guzman Garcia