News & Features International Scotland Men U20

Nine selected as Scotland U20 target fifth place against Wales

15 Jul 2026

Nine Edinburgh Rugby players are involved as Scotland U20 look to equal their best-ever finish at the World Rugby Junior World Championship, facing Wales in Friday's fifth-place final at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Head Coach Fergus Pringle has made four changes to his starting side, with Jack Utterson (back row) returning to the team, while Christian Lindsay switches from second row to flanker for the clash with Wales.

Scotland booked their place in the play-off with an impressive 44-26 victory over Argentina, a performance in which Edinburgh’s Nairn Moncrieff was among the try-scorers, along with Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Jamie Stewart.

Seven Edinburgh players start on Friday: Rory McHaffie, Dan Kelly and Nairn Moncrieff in the back-three, Henry Kesterton in the midfield, and a front-row-to-back-row presence of Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Christian Lindsay and Jack Utterson.

Jamie Stewart and Matthew Fick add further Edinburgh strength among the replacements.

Head coach Fergus Pringle said: “I was delighted with the way the team played against Argentina, starting well, creating opportunities and we were clinical. In the second half we lost momentum and had to weather the storm but then came back to finish strongly.

“Wales have had a great tournament and they have big players in key positions so we know the challenge we’re up against.

“We’ve had a massive focus on recovery this week and the guys are in a good place ahead of what will be another great challenge for us and will round off what has been a great month together as a group.”

Wales booked their place in the decider with a dramatic 38-36 victory over Australia.

Scotland U20 team to play Wales in the 2026 World Rugby Junior Championship at the Avchala Stadium Tbilisi Georgia
Friday 17 July (kick-off 8.30pm local time, 5.30pm BST) – live on Premier Sports and Rugby Pass 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 Bulls) Vice-Captain
9. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens RFC)

1. Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors) Captain
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. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors)
19. Finlay Mather (Grammar Tec)
20. Oliver Finlayson Russell (University of St Andrews)
21. Matthew Fick (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Calum Jessop (Heriots RFC)
23. Ewan Caven (Gloucester Rugby/Nottingham University)