Young Scots target first World win over Ireland

Scotland go into tomorrow’s World Rugby under-20 second round match against Ireland with a degree of confidence after an encouraging performance in their defeat at the hands of New Zealand last week.

The young Scots conceded six tries to the Baby Blacks but scored three themselves to underline the Scots’ attacking capabilities.

Scotland also impressed in the forward battle as head coach John Dalziel acknowledged.

He said: “Our driving maul went very well but in other areas we have to be better.”

Goal kicking is certainly an area where Scotland need to maximise opportunities.

Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn missed three kicks in the first half against New Zealand and only when Wasps’ Connor Eastgate and then his replacement, former Strathallan stand-off Josh Henderson, took over did Scotland garner points.

Dalziel will announce his side later today with the expectation that five players not involved on Wednesday will be named in the match-day squad.

What will give the Scots further hope of a win today is the defeat of Ireland by Italy last Wednesday, the shock result of the opening round of the championship.

Ireland came into this competition having themselves created history last year by defeating New Zealand to deny the Baby Blacks, for the first time in the history of the competition, a place in the top four.

A year on from that success Ireland, runners-up to England in Manchester, have a relatively new squad and one that has been affected by injuries to six players since their 20-19 win over Scotland – who have never beaten Ireland in the World under-20 Championship – at Broadwood Stadium in early February.

Scotland U20s coach John Dalziel.