Scotland U20 have named Joe Roberts and Ross Wolfenden as co-captains for Saturday’s World Rugby Junior World Championship opener against Italy in Kutaisi.
Scottish Rugby confirmed the matchday 23 on Thursday, with the Pool B fixture kicking off at 10am BST at the AIA Arena. The game will be shown on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV.
Roberts anchors Scotland’s front-row call
Roberts starts at hooker between Jamie Stewart and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, giving Fergus Pringle a front row with a clear Glasgow-Edinburgh balance. Wolfenden, already a central figure in Scotland’s age-grade midfield, starts at inside centre alongside Henry Kesterton.
The selection also gives Scotland a defined spine for a pool that later brings meetings with New Zealand and Japan. Read Rugby Union previously assessed why that Junior World Championship route gives Scotland an immediate benchmark.
Italy test comes first
Matthew Fick earns a first full Scotland U20 start at scrum-half, partnering Jake Dalziel. Harry Jackaman makes his first competitive U20 appearance at No 8, while Dan Kelly and Asa Stewart-Harris are also in line for competitive bows.
Pringle described the Junior World Championship as “the ultimate test in age grade International rugby” and warned Scotland must rise quickly against “a strong Italian team”.
That opening result will shape the tone of Scotland’s campaign before the heavier Pool B pressure arrives.
Sources: Scottish Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby.
