Ten selected for New Zealand JWC test

Edinburgh Rugby once again make up a large percentage of the matchday squad following Saturday’s 38-32 victory over Italy, with seven players named in the starting XV and a further three included among the replacements.

In the pack, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty continues at tighthead prop, with Christian Lindsay at blindside flanker and Jack Utterson at openside.

In the backs, Nairn Moncrieff lines up on the left wing, Henry Kesterton starts at outside centre and Rory McHaffie continues at full-back.

Dan Kelly, who marked his JWC debut with a try inside two minutes against Italy, retains his place on the right wing.

Co-captain Ross Wolfenden, Sam Byrd and Mathew Fick all provide further Edinburgh representation from the replacements bench.

Scotland head into the match full of confidence after a six-try win over Italy in their opener, with McHaffie among the try-scorers and Kesterton crossing twice off the bench as the young Scots came from behind to claim the bonus-point victory.

Scotland U20 team to play New Zealand in Kutaisi, Georgia in the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship
Thursday 2 July (kick-off 3pm BST) – live on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV

15. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)

14. Daniel Kelly (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
12. Alex Bryden (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby)

10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle/Newcastle Red Bull)
9. Asa Stewart Harris (Saracens)

1. Ollie McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
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. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)

Replacements

16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
17. Will Pearce (Cardiff Met/Bristol Bears)
18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors)
19. Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby)
20. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
21. Mathew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Ross Wolfenden (Edinburgh Rugby) CC
23. Campbell Waugh (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 32-38 Scotland (won)
• Thursday 2 July: New Zealand v Scotland, 3pm BST
• Tuesday 7 July: Scotland v Japan, 12.30pm BST