Wales U20 17 - 52 Scotland U20: Nathan Chamberlain leads seven-try rout

Nathan Chamberlain scored 32 points in Scotland's destruction of Wales. Picture: SNS. | 2019 SNS Group / SRU

At a closed-door Stadiwm Zip World in Colwyn Bay, except for a few supporters, it was a near perfect performance by the Scots, their pace in both attack and defence unsettling a Welsh side that had achieved recent wins over England and France. The tragedy, however, for Scotland is that they will not be able to take this form into this year’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship, following their relegation last year.

Scotland made a blistering start to the match with a try by Rufus McLean, after the wing had locked on to loose ball at the back of a lineout. McLean, however, still had a lot to do but his exceptional pace took him clear of the Wales defence for an inspirational opening score.

Chamberlain converted and then added a penalty goal after a dominant scrum by Scotland. A further penalty award allowed Chamberlain to kick to the corner and from the ensuing lineout the Scotland forwards repeatedly drove at the Wales line. The ball was then released to the backs and when Chamberlain spotted the Welsh defence drifting wide the stand-off straightened his run to score under the posts before kicking the simple conversion goal for a 17-0 interval lead.

Wales looked much more purposeful at the beginning of the second half and were rewarded for their tighter play with a maul try finished by 
No 8 Morgan Strong, Costelow again failing to goal.

Scotland struck back swiftly,
with a try by Connor Boyle created from a clever lineout move and a skilful scoring pass by Cameron Henderson, Chamberlain then achieving his fourth success at goal for a 24-5 advantage

Wales, stung by the scoreline, found their rhythm with a move down the left touchline that ended with outside centre Bradley Roderick racing over for an unconverted try. But once again Scotland answered emphatically, this time 
Chamberlain running on to his own chip kick to score his second try under the posts, giving Scotland a bonus point and once more adding the extras.

The high-scoring game continued with a try by Wales hooker Dom Booth converted
by full-back Ioan Loyd. Scotland once more wasted no time in delivering a sharp reply with a third try by Chamberlain from turnover ball and a break by replacement Jack Blain. The unfailing Chamberlain added the conversion and minutes later successfully addressed the posts after a sweeping move that ended with Ollie Smith taking Matt Currie’s inside pass for try No 6 to round off a memorable night for Scotland.

Just on full-time Robbie McCallum added the Scots’ seventh try from an interception, Chamberlain converting to finish with a 32 points tally
on a memorable night for 
Scottish under-20 rugby.