Scotland U20 vs Wales U20

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Scotland Under-20: Ruaridh Young (Edinburgh Accies), Damien Hoyland (Boroughmuir), Chris Auld (Gala), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hughes (Scotland 7s / Stirling County), Tommy Allan (unattached), Ali Price (Bedford Blues), Shawn Muir (Hawick), Russell Anderson (Gala), D'arcy Rae (Ayr), Ruaridh Leishman (Stirling County), Jonny Gray (captain) (Glasgow Warriors / Currie), Alex Henderson (Boroughmuir), Will Bordill (Sale Sharks), Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors / Stirling County).

Replacements: Callum Black (Edinburgh Accies), Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County), Phil Cringle (Edinburgh Rugby / Stewart's-Melville FP), Cameron Turner (Aberdeen Grammar), Tommy Spinks (London Scottish), Scott Steele (Leicester Tigers), Robbie Fergusson (Ayr), Keith Buchan (Boroughmuir).

Wales Under-20: Jordan Williams (Scarlets/ Llanelli); Harry Robinson (Blues), Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli), Aaron Warren (Llandovery); Sam Davies (Ospreys / Swansea), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets/ Llandovery); Gareth Thomas (Scarlets / Carmarthen), Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys/ Swansea), Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), Ieuan Jones (Dragons).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Bedwas), Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), James Benjamin (Bedwas), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Hallam Amos (Dragons).

Harry Robinson has come back in for Wales U20 to form part of a good attacking back 3. The back-row is the one I wanted to see from the start of the tournament; Jones is the big ball carrier with two fetchers either side of him. Dragons players Dixon and Amos come onto the bench. Sadly no Rhys Patchell who is injured but otherwise would have been available. So that leaves one weak link in this Wales team for Scotland to attack; Sam Davies.

Wales need a big win to still be within a shot of the title. Can they beat a Scotland team full of big units who are also in the hunt for the same title?

I'd love a different view of that ruck line there, I can't see how Thomas was onside!!

Cari wrote:Wooo! What an interception by Dan Thomas.

10-8 at 27 minutes.

It takes skill to get that far offside and still not get pinged by the referee is that what you mean

thebluesmancometh wrote:I'd love a different view of that ruck line there, I can't see how Thomas was onside!!

The scrum half held it for too long. Only Thomas spotted it. He's been rushing up a lot like that in this game.

Line judge just added 10m

I know the Scrummie delayed but still, he was 15 yards into the backline in the second or 2.

Wales not converting enough chances

I don't think they lost it on the ground there.

That's much better.

Good try

Nice pasing by both centres for that try

10 - 15

Nothing wrong with that try. Good effort from Warren.

10-15 at 38 minutes.

Looks a good crowd, flood gates openning?

Excellent try from Rhodri Williams.

10-22 at HT.

Beautiful individual effort by Rhodri Williams

10 - 22 HT

I see a Slam coming on...

Good half Wales!

There, we knew they could play like this all along. Why so late in the tournament?! I hope they continue and hold off Scotland. That defence around the opposition lineout, along with our own driving lineout needs much work.

think the Scotland u20's were mentally down the tunnel there...

wales606 wrote:

I see a Slam coming on...

We would need to win this game first... Then get our first ever win over England at U20 level to do so.

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:

I see a Slam coming on...

We would need to win this game first... Then get our first ever win over England at U20 level to do so.

First ever? Didn't we win the slam about 3 years ago?

First ever? Are you sure Morg?

Looks like it would be a first

U20s have only be around since 06/07 when they drew with England at Rodney Parade

Rhys Preistland scoring all of Wales U20s points in that draw out of interest.

Going for the early bonus well done Sam

Take the three points

Im warming to Sam Davies. Wasnt really a fan but he's looking very composed and is controlling well!

thebluesmancometh wrote:First ever? Are you sure Morg?

Like Wales606 says. And most of them have been very convincing wins too. What we do now with our academies is what England have been doing for years and reaping the rewards.

It would also be our first win at U20 level. Our highest finish is second I think.

He's looking good in this game but his distribution and running game still leave a lot to be desired, and his boot out of hand can be hit and miss when under pressure too!

Are Wales U20 even a second half team?

thebluesmancometh
Yeah thats been my impression as well. He looks to be maturing nicely though.

I'm a little shocked by that morg!!

I know quite a lot of English academies coming to wales struggle, despite being highly conditioned and strong.

And I can say I know we are not doing exactly what the English academies do (firstly there aren't that many academies setup in England and a league has only just been implimented) we are focusing far more around the rugby side of things as opposed to the conditioning side which the English academies put an importance to win games!

hjump

I'll reserve judgement on him when he's not having an armchair ride which he basically is tonight. Goalkicking is excellent tho!

This Scotish team is poor, slow no skill and kick the ball poorly.

I wish M Taylor was the senior attack coach.

Boom! Try number 4.

10-30 at 52 minutes. Shame the ball seemed to get blown wide there.

There are some real gems in the Scottish side though, Gray being just one of them!!!

thebluesmancometh
Indeed! Lets hope he steps up next week with the same composure as tonight when Wales may well be under the cosh!

Far too many knock ons from the young Scots.
Vert well exploited by Wales though, good kick chase and another well worked try

thebluesmancometh wrote:I'm a little shocked by that morg!!

I know quite a lot of English academies coming to wales struggle, despite being highly conditioned and strong.

And I can say I know we are not doing exactly what the English academies do (firstly there aren't that many academies setup in England and a league has only just been implimented) we are focusing far more around the rugby side of things as opposed to the conditioning side which the English academies put an importance to win games!

You're right. It is unacceptable to be honest, but with this lot we have a good chance of a win. Every single English junior player seems to be an exceptional athlete. They're also particulary well coached although they didn't do well at the last JWC. But like you say perhaps by then they were way too focused on conditioning.

It helps that England also have teams at U16, 17, 18, 19, with a number of guys getting professional experience with professional teams. Wales have started leaning towards that philosophy now, we also sent our U18 on tour to SA, which was a first. That's what I was getting at.

Wales are a class apart in this game, ref is trying to even up the game.

Ive heard grumblings about Nicky Smiths abilities in the gym before, squatting near 200kg as a 16 yr old apparently, he and Jack Dixon were highlighted as wonderkids because of their strengths in the gym, but I'm yet to see real rugby quality from either!

Davies is a poor defender even at this level, he has to pick it up if he going to stay at the Ospreys.

What was Thomas binned for? I missed that...

Is Smith the Ospreys LH, or TH?

Scotland started well but haven't followed up. They have some strong forwards and a couple good backs coming through by the looks of it.

Goughie needs to stop stalking the U20's players mums!lol

hjumpshoe wrote:Goughie needs to stop stalking the U20's players mums!lol

Maybe he's had them all...

Even with 7 forwards the Scots are going back, the ref should send another off so we get a game.

It helps that England also have teams at U16, 17, 18, 19, with a number of guys getting professional experience with professional teams. Wales have started leaning towards that philosophy now, we also sent our U18 on tour to SA, which was a first. That's what I was getting at.

Oh ye your bang on, from 16's up English players are highlighted and given the best quality coching/conditioning available from their pro clubs, we have started doing similar now, and elite rugby at 16/17/18 has helped massively.

The big difference I was talking about (think we were just on a slightly different wavelength) was that the welsh academy systems don't allow juniors to lift weights to gain until they reach 18's or so, I've seen 15 yr old English kids on the kind of programmes that bodybuilders would wince at

Also one huge difference between us and England that has only recently changed is dietary requirements and education, we have finally caught up. Although similarly with training Ive seen 16 yr old English kids with a diet plan that involves 3am protein wake ups!!!

glamorganalun wrote:Davies is a poor defender even at this level, he has to pick it up if he going to stay at the Ospreys.

He's not good ill admit. he's no worse than Matthew Morgan was at this stage mind and he's brave enough to become solid if he puts the work in.

Cari wrote:

hjumpshoe wrote:Goughie needs to stop stalking the U20's players mums!lol

Maybe he's had them all...

Thats the beauty of the academy system. plenty of fresh meat coming through eat year for him!lol

Well we really do focus on what players are capable of at this level, the weaknesses can be worked on, but if your going to be a poor defender be a 10!!!