Scotland U18s 65-3 Romania U18s: McKelvey thrilled as Under-18s score ten tries to rout Romania

Scotland posted ten tries in the heat of Tarbes yesterday as they began their FIRA/AER Tier 1 Under-18 Championship campaign with a disciplined and decisive victory over their Romanian counterparts.

The Romanians took an early lead, but the Scots fought back to gain the upper hand up front and their dominance in the scrum and lineout was a key factor in the result.

Scotland Under-18 head coach Grant McKelvey said: "We controlled the game once we got into it after a testing first 10-15 minutes. Romania had phases of possession but I was pleased that we kept our shape in defence and we made good use of our pace out wide in attack. Danny Kennedy made an excellent contribution at No?8. He controlled the ball well at the base of the scrum and provided us with real dynamism there. It was a good effort in 70-80 degrees heat on a rock-hard pitch."

Scotland, who led 22-3 at the interval, scored tries through Jamie Farndale (2), Rory Hughes (2), Jamie Bhatti, Robbie Fergusson, Sam Hidalgo Clyne, Alex Glashan and Scott Steele. Tommy Allan also grabbed a try and landed six conversions and a penalty. Scotland now face Germany in Lourdes tomorrow evening.

Scotland Under 18s: J Welsh (Selkirk), J Farndale (Edinburgh Academy), K Buchan (Strathallan), C Auld (Dumfries/Austin Friars School, captain), C Venus (Leicester/Leicester College), T Allan (Wasps/RGS High Wycombe), S Steele (Dumfries/Merchiston Castle School); J Bhatti (Stirling County), R Anderson (Langholm), C Maguire (Berwick), C Templeton (Dumfries), A Barnett (GHA/Mearns Castle School), A Henderson (Strathallan), W Bordill (Sale/Sandbach School), D Kennedy (Congleton).