Wales U20 31 – 21 Scotland U20: Match Report

Wales struck first after capitalising on a Scottish mistake deep in their own half. The error gifted the hosts a kick to the corner, and from the resulting lineout they set up camp inside the Scottish 22. Scotland’s pack initially stood firm, repelling the driving maul and earning a crucial turnover through the tireless work of Harvey Preston.

However, the respite proved brief. Attempting to run the ball out of the danger area, Scotland were caught out by Steff Emanuel who read the play perfectly and intercepted. From there, Luke Evans needed no second invitation, powering over the line to open the scoring. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones was unable to add the extras (5-0, 6 mins).

Across minutes eight and 12, Rory McHaffie and Jamie Stewart were caught offside respectively. On both instances, Leggat-Jones opted for a shot at the posts and converted both of his penalty attempts to increase the Welsh lead (11-0, 12 mins).

Scotland’s defence continued to be tested by the hosts, stretching the blue jerseys. Winger Bailey Cutts was able to find a way through, piercing down the left wing to dot down for five. Leggatt-Jones’s conversion missed the mark (16-0, 16 mins).

Scotland responded with intent, working their way into the Welsh 22 ahead of the 20 minute mark. As the Scots encroached the five-metre line, the forward pack did a lot of the hard work to drive the Welsh defensive back, before Hamish MacArthur sniped over from close range. After double-checking the grounding through the TMO, referee George Selwood awarded the try, and MacArthur added the conversion to level the scores.

Before the restart, the TMO alerted Selwood to possible foul play in the build-up. A review showed Byrd rolling the neck of a Welsh player at the ruck, and with that the seven points wiped away and a penalty awarded to Wales instead.

The next fifteen minutes settled into somewhat a frantic stalemate inside the blustery Cardiff Arms Park. Both sides were undone by basic errors, with handling mistakes stalling promising attacks.

Scotland spent much of the time that remained defending but showed real resilience to keep Wales out. After earning a turnover inside their own half, the forwards packed down for a scrum as the clock approached the final minute, only to concede a penalty for not driving straight. Leggatt-Jones stepped up and made no mistake from the tee, extending Wales’ lead as the half-time whistle followed shortly after (19-0, 40 mins).

Half-time: Wales U20 19 – 0 Scotland U20

Scotland made an impressive start to the second half, underlining the attacking threat they carry. MacArthur was initially held up over the line, but the breakthrough was only moments away. After Wales conceded two penalties inside their own 22, Scotland earned a scrum in prime territory from which MacArthur fired the ball to Jake Dalziel, who slipped a smart pass inside to Campbell Waugh, and the centre crashed over from close range. Dalziel converted his conversion for the extras (19-7, 46 mins).

Wales soon mounted their own response after earning a lineout inside Scottish territory. Playing the ball to the front, the breaking down the wing. Spotting space out wide, Leggatt-Jones delivered a deft cross-field kick to Dylan Scott, who gathered and finished well. Leggatt-Jones’ conversion went begging with the wind carrying it wide (24-7, 54 mins).

Wales secured their bonus-point try from a lineout on the fringes of the five-metre line. After a series of forceful carries from the pack, Evan Minto muscled his way over from close range. Lloyd Lucas converted to stretch the lead for the hosts (31-7, 61 mins).

A response was coming from Scotland, spending much for the following ten minutes inside Welsh territory but small mistakes proved costly in converting their opportunities into points. But soon the tide began to turn, with a Scottish lineout on the five-metre line. Captain Joe Roberts’ ball found the target, Jack Marshall. Dalziel’s conversion sailed between the sticks to narrow the deficit (31-14, 62 mins).

The ensuing 10 minutes saw Scotland camped on the Welsh line, repeatedly knocking on the door and asking questions of the home defence. Phase after phase, they pressed with intensity, but Wales held firm and Scotland were left frustrated, unable to turn pressure into points. A wave of substitutions injected fresh energy, and the visitors soon found another gear. Within minutes of entering the fray, Jackson Rennie crashed over for Scotland. Dalziel added the conversion to narrow the deficit (31–21, 75 mins).

Scotland’s attack was now flowing with confidence and tempo – albeit too little, too late – but they remained ambitious as the clock ticked into the red. They continued to probe the Welsh defence, stretching Wales from touchline to touchline. As Scotland looked to shift the ball to the edge once more, it slipped through Moncrieff’s fingertips and into touch, bringing the game to a close.

Full-time: Wales U20 31 – 21 Scotland U20

Scotland U20: Henry Widdowson; Nairn Moncrieff; Campbell Waugh; Harry Clark; Rory McHaffie; Jake Dalziel, Hamish MacArthur; Jamie Stewart; Joe Roberts – Captain; Ollie Blyth-Lafferty; Christian Lindsay; Alfie Blackett; Sam Byrd; Harvey Preston; Rory Purvis

Replacements: Jamie McAughtrie (62 mins for Jack Marshall); Oliver McKenna (54 mins for Stewart); Jackson Rennie (62 mins for Ollie Blyth-Lafferty); Archie Appleby; Fin Rennie (54 mins for Alfie Blackett); Jack Marshall (57 mins for Rory Purvis); Adam McKenzie (54 mins for MacArthur) ; Calum Jessop (54 mins for Waugh due to Head Injury Assessment)

Wales U20: Rhys Cummings; Dylan Scott; Bailey Cutts; Steff Emanuel; Tom Bowen; Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Sion Davies; Dylan James; Tom Howe; Jac Pritchard; Luke Evans; Osian Williams; Deian Gwynne; Caio James; Evan Minto

Replacements: James Talamai; George Tuckley; Yestyn Cook; Oscar Rees; Alex Ridgway; Luca Woodyatt; Lloyd Lucas; Luc Anfield

Referee: George Selwood (RFU)
Assistant Referees : Jamie Parr and Henry Pearson (both RFU)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)

Attendance: 4,966

Player of the Match: Deian Gwynne (Wales)