'Super proud' - Scotland U20 beat Wales to secure record-equalling World Championship finish

Fergus Pringle’s side overcame a real test of their character in a back and forth encounter against their Six Nations rivals that eventually ended 28-21. Will Evans and Jac Pritchard had crossed over in the opening 20 minutes for the Welsh but tries from Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Henry Kesterton levelled things up with the latter finishing off after a series of incredible offloads in the build-up.

Evans was then yellow carded and the young Scots immediately took advantage with skipper Joe Roberts, who was inspired all evening in attack and defence, the next try scorer. Wales survived the sin binning period without conceding again and as soon as they were back to 15 men it was 21-21 as Lewis Edwards broke the line.

Scotland under 20 head coach Fergus Pringle ‘super proud’ of record equalling player group

However, they then immediately had another player binned with Tom Bowen yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on and once again Scotland made them pay almost instantly. This time it was Daniel Kelly who scored in the corner after replacement scrum-half Matthew Fick went blind off the back of the maul.

Fick then put in a try saving tackle on lock Osian Williams, a player who towers over him physically, but was himself yellow carded shortly after. Fellow replacement Ewan Caven was also binned in the closing stages meaning the 13 remaining Scotland players had to hold off Wales with a colossal defensive effort in the final five minutes.

They showed grit and determination to survive the onslaught and when Williams knocked the ball on with the try line in front of him it was game over. After the match an elated head coach Pringle spoke about how his team had exceeded expectations to equal their best ever finish in this competition.

He said: “I'm really proud of the boys, I think what stood out in that game was just the character in those last few minutes of the game. I haven't thought too much about that [finishing fifth] but just super proud of how the boys just stuck in there when we were up against it in the last part of the game.

“That says a lot about the group and the character and just how tight they are. What it shows for me is that this is a development programme and they're learning. I think the thing that they've learnt is what it takes to win a game and learning how to win.

“Even when things aren't going perfectly for us or we're under a bit of pressure or things go against us, I think the guys have really learnt and understood what big momentum swing looks like in games and how you have to respond to certain things that you can't control.

“I just think that the guys have matured a lot on the field and I think that's so important because this programme is about development. It's about helping them get better and grow as players.

“It's been clear for me that they've really learnt how to win, how to compete in all different kinds of situations on the pitch and we definitely wouldn't have done that a few months ago. For me, I can clearly see that progress.”

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