Academy stars shine as Scotland U20 triumph in Treviso
9 Feb 2026It was a night to remember at Stadio Monigo as Scotland U20 kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a dominant 10-36 bonus-point victory over Italy.
While the scoreline reflects a clinical team performance, the fingerprints of the Edinburgh Rugby Academy were all over this historic win – Scotland’s first U20 away victory in the championship since 2020.
From the front row to the back three, our capital youngsters proved they are more than ready for the international stage.
The Edinburgh wingers were in predatory form, bookending the match with crucial scores. Nairn Moncrieff opened the account just three minutes in, showing great patience to finish a cross-field kick.
Moncrieff was a constant menace throughout the night, nearly grabbing a second on two occasions and earning plaudits for his tireless defensive work during the second-half periods of Italian pressure.
Not to be outdone, Rory McHaffie put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute. After forcing an early 5m scrum with a relentless chase, McHaffie showed his pure gas late in the game, pouncing on an Italian fumble to hare home from the halfway line.
The physicality of the Edinburgh contingent in the pack laid the foundation for the win. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty used his considerable frame to devastating effect, skittling defenders and providing the “go-forward” ball Scotland craved.
Behind them, Hamish MacArthur pulled the strings from scrum-half, adding a layer of tactical class with a clever wrap-around play to assist Kesterton and slotting his conversions with style.
In the heart of the backline, Kesterton notched his first international U20 try in a moment that showcased the chemistry developed at Hive Stadium.
MacArthur’s sharp inside pop allowed Kesterton to crash through the Italian defence, underscoring the power he brings to the midfield.
Henry Widdowson also showed immense resilience, recovering from a dangerous tip-tackle in the opening minute that initially left Italy a man down and set the tone for the Scottish onslaught.
Christian Lindsay, Sam Byrd, Jack Utterson, and Jamie Stewart also impressed to ensure Scotland maintained their intensity and defensive discipline until the final whistle.
This resounding win provides a massive boost for the young Scots who now turn their attention to England at U20 at Hive Stadium this Friday night.
