Scotland pulled off their finest victory in Six Nations under-20 rugby with a sensational 36-34 win over Wales at Netherdale last night to send a powerful message to the senior team for tomorrow's match at BT Murrrayfield.
Six days earlier the young Scots had suffered a discouraging 47-6 defeat to France while on the same night Wales had achieved a 21-15 win against the current world champions, England. But in a performance that was all about a growing confidence, Scotland upset the form book with a display that suggested this group will develop over the season.
"Every player showed belief in themselves" said Scotland under-20 head coach, Sean Lineen, adding : "The fitness level and work ethic in this squad is high. These boys showed incredible heart and spirit tonight. What has changed is that it is all about every player contributing."
Where Scotland really matched Wales was in the front five and notably in the front row where Glasgow Warriors' Zander Fagerson and Aberdeen Grammar's Murray McCallum were the equal of Welsh muscle. And at lock Scotland had high performance levels from Lewis Carmichael and replacement Andrew Davidson while in the back row Jamie Ritchie showed why he was awarded a professional contract with Edinburgh.
Scotland also had a massive contribution from scrum half George Horne, who landed eight goals from eight kicks in a perfect performance off the tee. Curiously Scotland's only other under-20 win over Wales, at McDiarmid Park in Perth was very much due to elder brother Peter Horne who kicked six penalty goals in the Scots ' 18-17 win.
A Scottish win looked almost out of sight when Wales ran in their fourth try to lead 24-12 five minutes before full time. Wales had scored their points through forward power and clever running behind the scrum and only their indiscipline had allowed Scotland into the game with four penalty goals by Horne.
But just on half time from a penalty-created line-out in the corner, Scotland launched a series of close range drives at the line that ended with McCallum crashing over, Horne's conversion leaving Scotland trailing by just five points with the scoreline at 19-24.
A Horne penalty and then the scrum's half conversion of a try by Carmichael gave Scotland a 29-24 lead and suddenly it seemed victory was possible. Wales' stand-off Dan Jones kicked a penalty but with lock Adam Beard in the sin-bin Scotland made the most of their one man advantage to score through Fagerson, Horne adding the conversion.
Wales managed a late try by wing Joshua Adams and the conversion by Jones, but Scotland were able to hold on to their lead for a magnificent win.
Scores: Scotland Tries McCallum, Carmichael, Fagerson Cons Horne (3) Pens Horne(5) Wales Tries Phillips, Howells, Adams (2), Smith Cons Jones (3) Pen Jones
SCOTLAND Under-20 : R Howarth; R Smith, A Russell, P Kelly, A Coombes; R Hutchinson, G Horne; M McCallum, R Graham, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, L Carmichael, N Irvine-Hess, J Ritchie, M Bradbury Subs J Ker for Graham 52, D Elkington for McCallum 55, A Davidson for Cummings 40, A Miller for Irvine-Hess 65, T Galbraith for Kelly 67, B Robbins for Coombes 61
WALES UNDER-20 : D Howells; J Adams, O Watkin, G Smith, B Nightingale; D Jones, T Williams; L Garrett, L Belcher, D Lewis, J Davies, A Beard, T Phillips, O Griffiths, H Keddie Subs T Myhill for Belcher 63 , R Bartle for Viggers 70 , J Viggers for Phillips 36, R Williams for Watkin 68
Referee: T Charabas (France)
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