Chamberlain scores but Scotland U20 beaten in Six Nations opener

Monday, February 3rd 2020

Nathan Chamberlain scored a try and kicked three conversions but Scotland U20 kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a 38-26 defeat to Ireland.

The Academy youngster started at fly half at Independent Park, but after Ireland scored three times to take a 21-12 half time lead, the home side powered clear after the break to seal a bonus-point win.

Head Coach Sean Lineen said, “The character was great, and good to get all the subs on to experience that, with a few coming up from the U19s.

“Ireland took advantage of a few of our unforced errors to score through that at vital times. When they did get to our 22, they were pretty difficult to stop, but we did a couple of times.

“That try before half-time was a real killer for us as things swung in their favour a little bit. They had big runners and our lads are still learning, I’m really proud with the way they stuck in and got our bonus-point."

Scotland U20 team to face Ireland on Friday at Independent Park, Cork:

15. Ollie Smith (Ayrshire Bulls), 14. Jacob Henry (Southern Knights), 13. Matthew Currie (Watsonians Rugby), 12. Robbie McCallum (Boroughmuir Bears), 11. Jack Blain (Heriot’s Rugby), 10. Nathan Chamberlain (Hartpury College/Bristol Bears), 9. Roan Frostwick (Watsonians Rugby); 1. Alex Maxwell (Stourbridge), 2. Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks), 3. Dan Gamble (Heriot’s Rugby), 4. Kieran Watt (Watsonians Rugby), 5. Cameron Henderson (Stirling County), 6. Jack Hill (Durham University), 7. Connor Boyle (Watsonians Rugby), 8. Rory Darge (Southern Knights) (c).

Replacements: 16. Rory Jackson (Watsonians Rugby), 17. Mak Wilson (Southern Knights), 18. Thomas Lambert (Sydney University), 19. Jamie Campbell (Biggar), 20. Gregor Brown (Boroughmuir Bears), 21. Kyle McGhie (Boroughmuir Bears), 22. Cameron Scott (Boroughmuir Bears), 23. Rufus McLean (Boroughmuir Bears).