Wales U20s finished sixth in the World Rugby U20 Championship after losing 28-21 to Scotland U20s in Tbilisi on 17 July 2026. Richard Whiffin's side laid siege to the Scotland line in the closing stages but should have levelled the scores when second-row Osian Williams knocked the ball forward with the try line at his mercy.
Match Summary
Scotland were worthy winners in what was a disappointing evening for Wales, who scored three tries through Will Evans, Jac Pritchard, and Lewis Edwards. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Lloyd Lucas contributed six points between them from the kicking tee. For Scotland, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Alex Bryden, Joe Roberts, and Daniel Kelly scored tries, with Jake Dalziel adding eight points from conversions.
Wales opened the scoring with giant Scarlets lock Evans powering over from short range, Leggatt-Jones adding the extras. They extended their lead with another try from Pritchard, making it 14-0. Scotland soon clicked into gear with tighthead prop Blyth-Lafferty burrowing over for their opening try before Bryden hit a tremendous angle for their second, levelling the scores at 14-14 at half-time.
Second-Half Drama
Wales were on the back foot early in the second half, with Scotland hooker Roberts scoring off a well-worked driving lineout. Whiffin's side responded with a try from full-back Edwards, but Tom Bowen was sent to the sin bin for an intentional knock-on. Scotland made the most of their numerical advantage when Kelly touched down out wide, taking a 28-21 lead.
Wales threw everything at Scotland in the final 15 minutes and should have scored when Williams knocked the ball on over the line. Scotland were reduced to 13 men when scrum-half Matthew Fick and Ewan Caven were sent to the sin bin for intentional slap-downs. Wales tried their best to level the scores, with Williams again spilling the ball forward in the act of scoring, but ultimately they fell short.
Team Lineups
Wales U20s: Lewis Edwards (Ospreys); Rhys Cummings (Cardiff), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Tom Bowen (Cardiff); Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), Sion Davies (Cardiff); George Leyland (Bristol), Tom Howe (Cardiff), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Will Evans (Scarlets), Osian Williams (Bristol), Tom Cottle (Cardiff), Caio James (Gloucester), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, capt). Replacements: Oscar Thomas (Bath), Hudson Nevin (Scarlets), Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), Alex Ridgway (Bath), Sam Morgan (Ospreys), Cai Gealy (Bristol), Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff), Bailey Cutts (Bath).
