12 selected for Junior World Championship opener

Edinburgh Rugby dominate the back division in particular, with 11 players named in the starting XV and Sam Byrd the 12th from the replacements bench.

In the pack, Jamie Stewart starts at loosehead prop alongside tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty.

Christian Lindsay is back fit and starts at blindside flanker, while Jack Utterson lines up at openside. Harry Jackaman – who joins the club’s academy this summer – makes his first competitive U20 appearance at No 8.

In the backs, Matthew Fick starts at scrum-half, with co-captain Ross Wolfenden named at inside centre and Henry Kesterton returning from injury at outside centre.

Nairn Moncrieff takes the left wing while Rory McHaffie starts at full-back.

Dan Kelly – another who joined the capital academy this summer – is selected on the right wing for what will be his first competitive appearance at this level.

Lock/back-row Sam Byrd provides additional Edinburgh representation from the replacements bench.

Scotland U20 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 in Kutaisi, Georgia in the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship
Saturday 27 June (kick-off 10am BST) – live on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV

15. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)

14. Dan Kelly (Edinburgh Rugby/ Watsonian FC)
13. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
12. Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby) CC
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) CC
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 (Edinburgh Rugby/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)

Scotland’s pool fixtures at the Junior World Championship are as follows, with all matches live on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV:

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