Scottish U20 team named for Six Nations opener

Head Coach Fergus Pringle has named his Scotland Men U20 side for the first game of the 2026 U20 Six Nations against Italy U20 at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday (kick off 8.15pm local/7.15pm GMT).

Scotland U20 captain Ross Wolfenden misses out after an injury in training, with Glasgow Warriors hooker Joe Roberts captaining the side.

Roberts is joined in the front row by fellow Warrior Oliver McKenna at loosehead prop, and Edinburgh Rugby tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty.

Christian Lindsay returns to the second row, having featured in last year’s U20 Six Nations, while Alfie Blackett makes his debut at this level to complete the lock partnership.

The back row features three making their Scotland U20 debuts. Openside flanker Jack Utterson and number 8 Rory Purvis were in wider squads in 2025 but did not feature, while blindside flanker Sam Byrd steps up having played for Scotland U19 last year.

Merchison Castle School and Melrose RFC prospect Jake Dalziel starts at stand-off, with the 17-year-old partnered by scrum-half Hamish MacArthur to make up the half-backs.

Outside centre Campbell Waugh is another making his first U20 appearance since the 2025 Six Nations, linking up with debutant and inside centre Henry Kesterton in the midfield.

Nairn Moncrieff, a try-scorer in last year’s U20 Six Nations against Wales, vice-captains from the right wing, with Rory McHaffie and Henry Widdowson debuting on the left wing and at full-back respectively to complete the starting team.

Hooker Jamie McAughtrie is primed to come on in the front row alongside props Will Pearce and Jamie Stewart, both of whom featured in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. Second row Fin Ronnie and back row Harvey Preston would both debut from the bench if brought on, while Oliver Finlayson-Russell returns from the 2025 Championship squad to complete the forward replacements.

The lineup is completed by Adam McKenzie and Calum Jessop, who are the two backs replacements in a 6-2 bench split.

Scotland U20 team to play Italy U20 at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday (kick off 8.15pm local/7.15pm GMT) – live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

15. Henry Widdowson (Edinburgh Rugby)
14. Nairn Moncrieff – Vice-captain (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Henry Kesterton (Edinburgh Rugby)
11. Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby)

10. Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle School/Melrose RFC)
9. Hamish MacArthur (Edinburgh Rugby)

1. Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Joe Roberts – 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. Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Rory Purvis (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements

16. Jamie McAughtrie (Ayr RFC)
17. Will Pearce (Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears)
18. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby)
19. Fin Ronnie (Watsonians RFC)
20. Harvey Preston (Glasgow Hawks)
21. Oliver Finlayson-Russell (University of St Andrews)
22. Adam McKenzie (Watsonians RFC)
23. Calum Jessop (Heriot’s Rugby)