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WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 2017

Scotland U20s

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Scotland U20 24 - 17 Australia U20 18/06/17

A last-gasp try from Charlie Shiel created a piece of history for Scotland U20, securing their highest every finish of fifth in the World Rugby U20 Championship with a dramatic 24-17 victory over Australia U20 today in Georgia.

Scotland were behind for most of the game, going into the tunnel trailing the opposition 10-3, but a sensational second-half performance in which they score three tries secured a monumental win. The victory was Scotland U20’s second over Australia in successive World Rugby U20 Championships and followed the senior side’s triumph over the men in gold the day prior.

Scotland’s fifth place finish bettered their previous high of eighth. It was a slow start to proceedings with Australia’s Harrison Goddard breaking the deadlock deep into the opening half with a converted try, before extending his side’s lead further two minutes later with another successful strike from the tee (0-10). Scotland’s first points came through the boot of Connor Eastgate, yet he was unable to reduce the deficit further with a missed penalty attempt on the cusp of half-time (3-10). HALF-TIME | Scotland U20 3 – 10 Australia U20 Scotland looked a different side as they emerged from the tunnel and scored their first try of the game through Robbie Nairn after 47 minutes.

The wing fed off an impressive break from Blair Kinghorn, and provided the support needed for the score. Eastgate’s conversion made it all-square. The Dark Blues built on their momentum and after some great ball carrying from the pack, Charlie Shiel picked up the ball from the base of a ruck and sniped over the whitewash for his side’s second score. Eastgate made no mistake with the conversion to extend Scotland’s lead (17-10) Goddard continued to show his finishing prowess and took advantage of a catalogue of Scotland errors to scoop up a loose ball and race away for his second score of the game, converting his the try to level the scores (17-17). The Australian was unable to add further to his points tally on 71 minutes, when he put a penalty attempt wide of the mark. Scotland were the dominant team for the final ten minutes, but found it difficult to break down the resilient Australian defence on approach to the line. Some excellent pressure in defence on 79 minutes from the Dark Blues won a crucial scrum

10 metres out from the gold line and it was from such which Shiel sniped around the fringes and displayed his pace to finish under the sticks. Eastgate’s conversion was the last play of the game and brought the curtain down on a historic victory and tournament.

FULL-TIME | Scotland U20 24 – 17 Australia U20

Scotland U20 29 - 25 Wales U20 13/06/17

Scotland U20 created history with a last-gasp win 2925 over their Welsh counterparts in a thriller tonight at Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi.

Wing Darcy Graham crossed the whitewash in the 75thminute to score his second try of the match and snatch the victory in a dramatic finish. The victory guaranteed at least a sixth place finish for John Dalziel’s side, bettering their previous best of eight, which was achieved in last year’s competition. It was Wales, however, who opened the scoring as they intercepted a wayward Eastgate pass from the set-piece and unleashed back-row Will Jones for the try (0-5). Scotland responded with a try of their own on 14 minutes, when slick handling from the backline allowed Graham space in the outside channels to run in for the score. Eastgate bettered his opposite man and out his side ahead with the conversion (7-5). Dalziel’s charges looked upbeat and extended their lead seven minutes later when centre Ross McCann stepped back against the grain and powered through the final defender for the score. Eastgate’s again added the extras to give Scotland a nine-point lead (14-5). The helter-skelter affair continued when Wales’ replied with a score just two minutes later through centre Ioan Nicholas, who scuttled in under the sticks. Arwel Robson made amends for his earlier miss and closed the gap to just two points (14-12). The retort was prompt and this time it was captain Hunter-Hill who touched down to extends Scotland’s lead, following another impresside drving maul from his side. Eastgate’s conversion attempt struck the post (19-12). It looked as though it was déjà vu as the clock went red to mark the end of the half, as a driving lineout maul travelled over the Welsh whitewash. The TMO, however, deemed it was a Welsh hand under the ball and the whistle was blown to mark the end of the half. HALF-TIME: Scotland U20 19

– 12 Wales U20 Wales Robson fired home two penalties either side of a successful Eastgate kick in the third quarter (22-18).

The men in red’s persistence in attack paid off on 69 minutes when Robson fought to stay on the paddock and touched down in the corner. The stand-off added the extras to his own score to give his side a 25-22 lead as the match entered the final ten minutes. Scotland, however, were not in the mood to back down and regained the lead with just five minutes left on the clock when Graham scooped up a loose ball and displayed magnificent feet and added a touch of power to race home for the match winner. Eastgate had the final say with the conversion, which sealed Scotland the victory and a place in the history books.

FULL-TIME: Scotland U20 29 – 25 Wales U20

Scotland U20 vs Italy U20 Thursday 8th June 2017

Scotland U20 fought off a late Italian comeback to record a hard-earned 17-16 victory and secure second place in Pool B of the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship.

John Dalziel’s charges scored three tries through Robbie Nairn, Luke Crosbie and Tom Dodd, with Connor Eastgate’s sole conversion proving crucial come the final whistle. The opposition were only able to cross the whitewash on one occasion through centre Marco Zanon, yet a fine kicking display from stand-off Antonio Rizzi kept Italy in the game throughout. The Dark Blues started the stronger of the sides and looked energetic in the opening exchanges. Making amends for a missed opportunity in the opening minutes, Robbie Nairn opened the scoring with a sensational try in the corner in which he displayed guile, power and pace to finish. Italy fired back with a well-worked try from centre Marco Zanon, with Rizzi’s conversion giving the Azzurri the lead (5-7).

Eastgate turned down the option of a kickable penalty on the 14 minute mark, and the risk paid-off with a try.

Scotland went to their driving maul – a key feature to their success in the tournament – and following a few phases, Crosbie sniped over through the centre of the ruck to regain the lead for his side (10-7). Stand-off Eastgate slotted the conversion, yet was unable to add three points

with another shot at goal on 22 minutes (12-7). Excellent scramble defence from Blair Kinghorn stopped an almost certain try shortly after, with the TMO judging the full-back had managed to get under the ball before Italy’s livewire wing Giovanni D’Onofrio touched down in the corner. Italy did, however, have the last say of the half with Rizzi kiking a 36th minute penalty to close the gap to just two points at the interval.

HALF-TIME | Scotland 12 – 10 Italy And the Italians continued to build on their momentum in the second-half with the only points of the third quarter coming through the boot of Rizzi, who slotted a further two penalties to give his side a 16-12 lead. Scotland showed their character and put a rough patch behind them when back-row Dodd touched down following another well-worked driving maul. Replacement Josh Henderson was unable to add the extras, but Dodd’s score gave his side a 17-16 lead going into the final 10 miuntes. It was a grandstand finish. Italy continued to fire shots at the Scotland line, yet the defence stayed resilient and kept them out on a number of occasions, most notably when Nairn bundled his opposite number into touch on approach to the line.

FULL-TIME | Scotland 17 – 16 Italy

Scotland U20 defeat Ireland in thriller 04/06/17 Scotland beat Ireland for the first time ever in the World Rugby U20 Championship, coming out on top 32-28 in a thrilling encounter in the Georgian sunshine. Having given a good account of themselves in the opening pool game against New Zealand, John Dalziel’s side started brightly against last year’s beaten finalists, threatening early on and enjoying the majority of the possession. It was the Irish who struck first however, converting a penalty before making the most of a lapse in concentration from the Scottish defence to take a quick tap and squirm over the line for the game’s opening try. Scotland hit back almost instantly with a superb length of the field score. Darcy Graham running the ball from his own 22 before offloading in the tackle to Ross McCann who ran the ball under the sticks to complete a lovely team try. Momentum swung back in the Scot’s favour and and just before the break they had a second. Fraser Renwick scoring

from the back of a line-out maul that had proven so effective in the opening game against New Zealand and Scotland lead 1210. A Conor Eastgate penalty at the start of the second period extended their lead and that was followed closely by Scotland’s third try, another flowing team move. This time it was Blair Kinghorn breaking the line and racing up the field. Tackled just short, Scotland didn’t panic, and the ball was recycled smartly to Graham who finished from 5m out.

Ireland responded with an impressive score of their own, winger Jack Kelly evading several Scottish tackles on his way to the line. With the game opening up Scotland responded instantly.

Captain Hunter-Hill striding into opposition territory and again the Scots showed good composure inside the opponent’s 22 to slow the play down, pick the best option and it was Eastgate who finished off.

An Irish penalty kept them within a score but Scotland had their backs up and soft hands and smart running in another well worked team move saw Robbie Nairn score his side’s fifth of the night. An Irish try with five minutes to go caused a cautious ending but Scotland had enough to hold out the green attack and secure an entertaining victory. Victory leaves Scotland second in Pool B with Italy still to play on Thursday 8 June, kickoff 10am BST.

Zealand U20 vs Scotland U20 , Wed, 31/05/2017 A valiant and energetic display from Scotland U20 wasn’t

enough to topple five times champions, New Zealand, in the World Rugby U20 Championship opener today in Georgia, as the young All Blacks recorded a 42-20 victory in Pool B. John Dalziel’s charges were in the game throughout and the sides went down the tunnel at the interval with only nine-points separating them on the scoreboard. However, two tries early in the second-half for the men in black opened up a substantial gap in the scoreline, which proved too great for Scotland to overcome despite some excellent play in both attack and defence.

It didn’t take long for New Zealand to initiate the scoring in a high-octane affair, as wing Tima Faingaanuku slipped down the touchline to score in the corner, with stand-off Tiaan Falcon converting after two minutes. Following a sting of penalties – all of which where punted into touch – Scotland’s patience brought reward as the pack trundled over the opposition line from a well-worked driving maul and hooker Fraser Renwick touched down for his side’s opening score. Kinghorn was unable

to hit the target with the conversion (5-7). New Zealand’s reply came through a try from hooker Asafo Aumua, but once again Scotland went back up the other end and showed they were not going to lie down for the opposition. Another series of penalties and driving followed, before the ball was released to the backs and stand-off Connor Eastgate floated a well-weighted pass out to Darcy Graham on a great line, with the winger scything through the opposition to join his fellow Hawick-man, Renwick, on the scoresheet. The conversion was missed (10-12).

A second try for New Zealand’s powerful wing, Faingaanuku, reopened a seven-point gap, with Falcon’s conversion giving his side a 19-10 lead at the turn. HALF-TIME | Scotland U20 10 – 19 New Zealand U20 Scotland looked sharp as they re-emerged for the second-half and forced the opposition into committing fouls in the opening exchanges. Eastgate took on kicking duties after the interval and slotted a penalty in 41 minutes to put his side to within six points of the opposition (13-19).

However, Eastgate’s strike was soon nulled as his opposite number, Falcon, struck a penalty just two minutes later before back-row Dalton Papalii added his side’s third try of the game (13-27). A Scotland error shortly after the restart allowed centre Orbyn Leger to saunter in for an easy score, with Falcon adding the conversion and a penalty six minutes later (13-34). Scotland were denied a try on 61 minutes as the TMO footage was deemed inconclusive as a driving maul collapsed over the New Zealand line. The chance went begging, but New Zealand were reduced to 14-men in the process as try-scorer Papalii was shown a yellow-card for an offence at the contact. After a brief lull in the third quarter, Scotland looked rejuvenated with a scintillating break from Ross McCann – who rounded his opposite man and charged 80 minutes up the park – epitomising his side’s attacking intent. It was the turn of Kinghorn to get the crowd on their feet shortly after as he skipped his way through the broken New Zealand defence and found replacement Josh Henderson with an offload, which allowed the stand-off to race into the corner for a wonderful score. Henderson was met with further applause as he slotted an incredible touchline conversion, adding the extras to his own try (20-37).

A third try from Faingaanuku at the death brought the curtain down on the game, with the New Zealanders finishing up on top after a high-scoring affair.

FULL-TIME | Scotland U20 20 – 42 New Zealand U20

Head Coach John Dalziel has named his Scotland U20 squad for the forthcoming World

Rugby U20

Championship in Georgia (31 May-18 June).

The 28-man squad consists of 16 forwards and 12 backs, and includes six players – three of whom are uncapped at U20 level – who did not appear in the recent Six Nations Championship.

Forwards Ross Dunbar, Archie Erskine and Thomas Gordon are three potential Scotland U20 debutants named in the squad, with Patrick Anderson, Ruaridh Dawson and Blair Kinghorn – the latter two of whom picked up senior age-grade caps in last season’s campaign – the incoming players in the back division.

Dalziel said: “We’ve picked a well-rounded squad, which has grown together through their experience of the recent Six Nations.

“The team showed that they are capable of producing some very good rugby but need to be more consistent. Finding that 80-minute performance will be key to our overall showing in the World Championship.

“Selection is only the start for these players, and we have a lot of work to do between now and the competition. In order to get the most out of the

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tournament, we need full commitment from everyone given the opportunity to don the shirt.”

Scotland are grouped in Pool B with New Zealand, Ireland and Italy.

Dalziel continued: “We’re up against three quality sides in our pool, with the games made even more difficult taking into account the tight turnaround.

“The group has learned from their experience on this stage previously, and we’ll look to take that understanding into this year’s tournament.

“The competition will be play a vital part in these players’ development in the long-term and we’re excited to get started in a few weeks’ time.”

Scotland U20 pool fixtures in the World Rugby U20 Championship

Wednesday 31 May: New Zealand U20 v Scotland U20, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) Sunday 4 June: Ireland U20 v Scotland U20, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) Thursday 8 June: Scotland U20 v Italy U20, Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi (kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) Scotland U20 squad to compete in the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia (Wednesday 31 May – Sunday 19 June)

The Scotland U20 programme is the pinnacle of the

country’s age-grade system and has helped develop some of its greatest talents and project them on to the international stage to don the thistle emblazoned, dark blue shirt of Scotland.

Each year the squad competes in the U20 Six Nations, which runs in alignment with the senior tournament, and the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Scotland under-20 fixtures and results in 2017 Under-20 Six Nations Championship results Round 1: Scotland 19 – 20 Ireland Round 2: France 36 – 8 Scotland Round 3: Scotland 34 – 65 Wales Round 4: England 33 – 5 Scotland Round 5: Scotland 38 – 17 Italy World Rugby Under-20 Championship 2017 in Georgia Wednesday 31 May: Scotland v New Zealand, AIA Arena, Kutaisi (1pm local/10am BST) Sunday 4 June: Scotland v Ireland, AIA Arena, Kutaisi (1pm local/10am BST) Thursday 8 June: Scotland v Italy, AIA Arena, Kutaisi (1pm local/10am BST)

Scotland under-20 management team:

Head coach: John Dalziel Assistant coach: Ben Fisher Assistant coach: Iain Monaghan Assistant coach: Sean Lineen Team Manager: Andy Miller Strength & conditioning coach: Derrick Spiers Team analyst: Paul Larter Team doctor: David Pugh Team physios: Pete Scullion & Brian King

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Scotland U20s 2017 Hamish Bain, Fergus Bradbury, Alex Craig, Luke Crosbie, Tom Dodd, Ross Dunbar, Archie Erskine, Matt Fagerson, Bruce Flockhart, Thomas Gordon, Callum Hunter-Hill, Adam Nicol, Fraser Renwick, Robbie Smith, George Thornton, Daniel Winning, Patrick Anderson, Ruaridh Dawson, Connor Eastgate, Darcy Graham , Josh Henderson, Robert Kay, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Ross McCann, Robbie Nairn, Charlie Shiel, Andrew Simmers, Robbie Kenny gpfoto my photos, your story gerry@gpfoto.ie +353 (087) 2424123 Š All rights reserved

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