Ten selected for U20 Six Nations opener
4 Feb 2026Edinburgh Rugby is proud to announce that 10 of the club’s academy players have been selected in the Scotland Men’s U20 squad to face Italy in the opening round of the 2026 U20 Six Nations.
The national side, led by Head Coach Fergus Pringle, travels to the Stadio Comunale di Monigo this Friday (6 February, kick-off 7.15pm GMT), with Edinburgh players featuring prominently across the pack and backline.
The capital’s influence begins in the front row, where tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty earns a starting spot. Behind him, Christian Lindsay returns to the second row for his second Six Nations campaign.
The back-row sees a double-debut for Edinburgh prospects; Sam Byrd earns his first start at blindside flanker following a successful stint with the U19s, while Jack Utterson starts at openside after impressing in the 2025 wider squad.
Edinburgh Rugby’s Academy stars also dominate the backline, accounting for five of the seven starting positions. Hamish MacArthur takes the number nine jersey to dictate the tempo of the game, linking up with debutant Henry Kesterton in the midfield at inside centre.
The back-three features a heavy Edinburgh presence, led by Nairn Moncrieff. Moncrieff, a standout performer and try-scorer during the 2025 tournament, has been named vice-captain from the right wing.
He is joined by two exciting debutants in the backfield: Rory McHaffie on the left wing and Henry Widdowson at full-back.
Prop Jamie Stewart is named among the replacements to make it ten Edinburgh players involved on Friday night.
Scotland U20 team to play Italy U20 at Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Friday 6 Feb (kick off 8.15pm local/7.15pm GMT) – live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
15. Henry Widdowson (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Nairn Moncrieff – Vice-captain (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
11. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle School/Melrose RFC)
9. Hamish MacArthur (Edinburgh Rugby)
1. Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Joe Roberts – Captain (Glasgow Warriors)
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Christian Lindsay (Edinburgh Rugby)
5. Alfie Blackett (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
6. Sam Byrd (Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Rory Purvis (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements
16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
17. Will Pearce (Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears)
18. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
19. Fin Ronnie (Watsonians RFC)
20. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)
21. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
22. Adam McKenzie (Watsonians RFC)
23. Calum Jessop (Heriot’s Rugby)
