Scotland U20 squad named for 2026 Junior World Championship opener

Hooker Roberts will pack down in the front row with loosehead prop Jamie Stewart and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty at tighthead.

Alfie Blackett, who debuted at this level during this year’s U20 Six Nations, is joined in the second row by Dan Halkon, who plays in the Junior World Championship for the second straight year.

Christian Lindsay, often deployed as a lock, gets the nod at blindside flanker, with Jack Utterson at openside and Harry Jackaman making his first competitive U20 appearance at No 8.

Likewise in the back division, Matthew Fick earns a first full Scotland U20 start at scrum-half, lining up with Jake Dalziel, the stand-off who shone during the 2026 U20 Six Nations.

In the centres, co-captain Wolfenden lines up at inside, with the returning Henry Kesterton, who succumbed to injury after a bright start earlier in the year, named at outside.

Nairn Moncrieff, an ever-present during the U20 Six Nations, will don the 11 shirt on the left wing, with Rory McHaffie at full-back and Daniel Kelly, another full debutant, selected on the right wing.

The replacements’ bench incorporates six forwards by way of front-row substitutes Jamie McAughtrie, Will Pearce and Jackson Rennie, with Sam Byrd, Harvey Preston and Oliver Finlayson-Russell providing cover for the second row and back row.

The selection is completed by scrum-half Asa Stewart-Harris – also poised for a first competitive bow in dark blue – and Alex Bryden, who will cover the back three positions.

Head coach Fergus Pringle said: “The players have worked really hard in the lead up to the Junior World Championship which is the ultimate test in age grade International rugby. We know the challenge that lies ahead, and the group are determined to rise to the occasion in what will be a very tough contest against a strong Italian team in game one.’’

Scotland U20 team to play Italy in 2026 World Rugby Junor World Championship on Saturday 27 June in Kutaisi, Georgia (kick-off 10am BST – live on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV):

15. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Dan Kelly (Watsonian FC)
13. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
12. Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby) Co-Captain
11. Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Jake Dalziel (Newcastle Red Bulls)
9. Matthew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby)
1. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors) Co-Captain
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Alfie Blackett (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
5. Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Christian Lindsay (Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Harry Jackaman (Watsonian FC)

Replacements
16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
17. Will Pearce (Bristol Bears/Cardiff Metropolitan University)
18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors)
19. Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby)
20. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)
21. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
22. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens)
23. Alex Bryden (Glasgow Warriors)