U20s Six Nations: Wales 31-21 Scotland

After agonizingly narrow losses to France and England, Richard Whiffin’s side traded "moral victories" for the real thing, capitalizing on a Scottish side that spent most of the evening tripping over their own feet.

Wales exploded out of the blocks, racing to a 16-0 lead within 16 minutes. Debutant Harvey Preston secured a turnover deep in his own 22 but in the process of stealing the ball it spilled back on to the Welsh side. Which allowed lock Luke Evans to crash over after a sequence of patient, grinding phases. While the conversion drifted wide, the momentum was firmly with the hosts.

The highlight of the half belonged to Cardiff centre Bailey Cutts. Wales unveiled a sumptuous set-piece move that saw both wingers switch lanes, creating a corridor of space for the electric Tom Bowen. Bowen drew the Scottish fullback in with the threat of his pace, feeding Cutts inside to ignite the Arms Park crowd.

If Wales were clinical, Scotland were chaotic. Despite the presence of senior figures in their pack, the visitors conceded nine penalties in the opening 40 minutes. Hamish MacArthur appeared to have sniped a lifeline for Scotland at the 20-minute mark, only for the score to be scrubbed off for a cynical neck roll by the Scottish blindside. Carwyn Leggat-Jones, the schoolboy fly-half who showed confidence and a very advanced skillset, punished Scottish transgressions by slotting two long distance penalties to secure a 19-0 halftime lead.

Scotland emerged from the interval with renewed vigour. Teenage phenom Jake Dalziel finally unlocked the Welsh defence with a deft offload to Campbell Waugh, who crossed to make it 19-7. For a moment, the tide seemed to turn as McHaffie hacked a loose ball toward the Welsh line, but a lung-busting back-track from Steffan Emanuel saved a certain try.

Wales weathered the storm and delivered the dagger in the 53rd minute. Following a rampaging lineout move allowing a break by Man of the Match Deian Gwynne, Leggat-Jones produced the play of the game: a perfectly weighted cross-field kick into the breadbasket of winger Dylan Scott. When hooker Tom Howe powered through two defenders to score ten minutes later, the contest seemed over at 31-7.

A late surge of Scottish pride saw replacement forwards Jack Marshall and Jackson Rennie rumbled over from close range after many patient phases. Scotland were unable to score again in the match making it 31-21 the final score. The final score seems close and suggests a close contest; the reality was a game won and lost in the first hour. For Scotland coach Pringle, the autopsy will focus on a discipline record that made victory almost impossible. For Wales, although they looked tired toward the end of the game, they showed a real cohesiveness as a team which ultimately made the difference tonight.

Tries: 4 (Luke Evans (5'), Bailey Cutts (16'), Dylan Scott (53'), Tom Howe (60')

Conversions: Lloyd Lucas (1/1)

Penalties: Carwyn Leggat-Jones (3) (7', 12', 39')

Drop goal: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) 14. Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met) 13. Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby) 12. Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby – co-Capt) 11. Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) 10. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) 9. Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)

1. Dylan James (Ospreys) 2. Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby) 3. Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) 4. Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) 5. Osian Williams (Bristol Bears) 6. Deian Gwynne (Gloucester – co-Capt) 7. Caio James (Gloucester) 8. Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)

Replacements: 16. James Talamai Dragons RFC) 17. George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) 18. Yestyn Cook Scarlets) 19. Oscar Rees (Gloucester) 20. Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby) 21. Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester) 22. Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby) 23. Luc Anfield (Bath University)

Tries 3 - Campbell Waugh (45'), Jack Marshall (70'), Jackson Rennie (73')

Conversions: Jake Dalziel (2), Adam Mackenzie

Penalties: 0

Drop goal: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Henry Widdowson (Edinburgh Rugby) 14. Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby) 13. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks) 12. Ross Wolfenden – Captain (Edinburgh Rugby) 11. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby) 10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle School/Melrose RFC) 9. Hamish MacArthur (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby) 2. Joe Roberts – Vice-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. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks) 8. Rory Purvis (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: 16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC) 17. Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors) 18. Jackson Rennie (Glasgow Warriors) 19. Archie Appleby (Northampton Saints) 20. Fin Ronnie (Watsonian FC) 21. Jack Marshall (Saracens/Loughborough University) 22. Adam McKenzie (Watsonian FC) 23. Calum Jessop (Heriot’s Rugby)

The evening was characterized by very windy conditions which heavily dictated the tactical kicking game. Wales navigated these elements to their advantage in the first half kicking some long penalties. Scotland had the wind at their back in the second half but didn’t use it to their advantage.

In an unusual situation for U'20 international rugby both fly halves’ are still in school. The matchup between Wales’ Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Scotland’s Jake Dalziel offered a fascinating glimpse into the future, with both playmakers displaying confidence and technical skills that belied their years.

On paper, the Scottish pack arrived with 33 caps of U’20’s experience in the front row alone. However, that veteran presence failed to translate into composure, as Scotland’s ill-discipline ultimately cost them the game. Conceding nine first-half penalties effectively gift-wrapped the momentum for the Welsh.

This victory marked the first win by either Wales team this Six Nations. After the senior and age-grade sides suffered a string of defeats, this performance provided Welsh fans something to cheer about and a glimmer of hope that Wales are still producing talented youngsters.

The stakes were heightened by the presence of senior head coaches Steve Tandy and Gregor Townsend who were both in attendance. Their presence underscored the prospect status of players like Man of the Match Deian Gwynne and the electric Tom Bowen, who certainly caught the eye on the big stage.