Fast-starting Scotland U20 hold off Japan fightback

Scotland U20 43 - 32 Japan U20

Half-time: 26-15  ·  Referee: David Vosalevu  ·  7 July 2026

Scotland U20 rode a blistering opening to a 43-32 win over a persistent Japan U20 at the World Rugby U20 Championship, ultimately doing just enough to repel a Japanese side that outscored them after the break and never stopped coming. Fly-half Jake Dalziel was the difference-maker, orchestrating the early blitz, kicking four conversions and sealing the win with a late intercept try of his own.

A whirlwind start

Scotland could hardly have begun better. Scrum-half Matthew Fick burrowed over inside two minutes, and by the time Dan Kelly and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty had both crossed - Dalziel involved in the build-up to each - the hosts led 17-0 after seventeen minutes, with only two missed conversions off the upright denying them an even greater cushion.

Japan, to their credit, settled and struck back. Koshi Tsumura picked and went from close range on twenty, Yuki Kobayashi converting and then adding a penalty, before Joe Roberts restored Scotland's breathing room from close range on thirty-two. Sota Miura's rolling-maul try on thirty-six kept Japan in touch, but a yellow card for Blyth-Lafferty right on half-time did little to dent Scotland's 26-15 interval lead.

Japan turn the screw

The second half belonged largely to Japan. Replacement Shinnosuke Uchida - outstanding after coming on - produced an individual try worth "the admission price" on fifty-seven, though Jamie McAughtrie's close-range effort on forty-nine had already extended Scotland's lead. Isa Fukada's try on sixty-four, converted by the metronomic Kobayashi, narrowed the gap and set up a tense finish.

For all Japan's second-half dominance in territory and the late ball, Scotland's set-piece and composure held. Alex Bryden's try on seventy-two, following Asa Stewart-Harris's assist, pushed the lead back out, and although Kobayashi's penalty on seventy-five kept the margin uncomfortable, Dalziel had the final word.

Dalziel seals it

The fly-half read a Japanese pass on seventy-eight, intercepting and racing clear to score under the posts, before converting his own try to make the game safe at 43-32. It was a fitting flourish from a player who had a hand in almost everything good Scotland produced.

The stats capture the shape of the contest. Scotland's ruthless early conversion of chances - four tries from a first half in which they beat 27 defenders - gave them a lead their second-half display alone would not have earned. Japan won the second period on tries and enjoyed 77% of possession in the closing ten minutes, but a leaky lineout, losing seven throws, and a costly turnover count undid much of their good work. Scotland will be relieved; Japan will feel the margin flattered the winners.

SCORERS

Yellow card: Blyth-Lafferty (Scotland U20, 40')