Scotland under- 20s went down to defeat to England at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence in their Six Nations Women’s Summer Series match on Saturday evening, but there were plenty of positives to take from this game.
The Scots went toe-to-toe for England for 80 minutes in Wales before going down 31-17 in a five tries to three clash.
England thought they had taken the lead after three minutes when hooker Lucy Simpson went over for a try, but things were then pulled back for an obstruction in the build up and it remained 0-0.
Scrum-half Rianna Darroch and winger Emily Norval then had good breaks as the Scots tried to edge their way into the game. Charlotte Russell, the second-row, was also carrying well and by the 15th minute it was still scoreless.
After the first quarter Scotland would have been happy with the way thing were going, the team playing a nice offloading game and bringing physicality to things.
England started to get their big carriers into things soon after though and, in the 24th minute, back-row Joia Bennett powered her way over for the opening try. Full-back Lia Green converted to make it 7-0.
England had their tails up and were then held up over the try line, but soon after they did have their second try of the evening when tighthead prop Grace Clifford went over. Green could not convert and it was 12-0.
Things went from bad to worse for Scotland with 10 minutes left in the half when full-back Nicole Flynn, the vice-captain, was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on as England surged forward.
And in the 32nd minute, in a match that was very ‘stop start’ due to numerous TMO checks, England’s third try came via Simpson and they were 17-0 up.
Scotland were then held up over the try line a few minutes before half-time, but they put some width on the ball and got their reward.
Lucy MacRae’s kick was gobbled up by centre partner Holly McIntyre and she stepped inside a scrambling defender to score. It was unconverted and it was 17-5 at the break.
At the start of the second half, Scotland lost second-row Aisha Zameer due to injury with Holly Wilson coming on for a debut at this level.
After 49 minutes England scored their fourth try, stand-off Amelia MacDougall slicing through to go over with Green converting to make it 24-5.
A few more changes were then made by the Scots and, just before the hour mark, stand-off Ceitidh Ainsworth set up Norval who finished superbly in the corner with the touchline and defenders trying to stop her. It was unconverted and it was 24-10.
Just after the hour mark, England’s fifth try came when winger Molly Luthayi grabbed an interception and ran in to score with Green converting for 31-10.
With eight minutes to go Scotland replacement back Poppy Mellany, one of those stepping up from the under- 18s, then show brilliant pace to chase a kick ahead, hack it on and then collect to score Scotland’s third try. MacRae converted and it was 31-17.
That was the way it finished – after good defence at the end to stop England getting a sixth try – and it was great to see Scotland’s bench making an impact and the matchday 23 mixing it for the full encounter against a team which had players with PWR experience in it.
Scotland have Wales to play next on on July 11 (6pm) and then they will face Ireland on July 17 (1pm).
Scotland supporters will be able to follow every moment of the action from the Summer Series as all matches will be streamed live on the Six Nations under-20 YouTube channel and the Scottish Rugby website.
Scotland under-20 squad that played in the England game
Nicole Flynn (V-C); Emily Norval, Holly McIntyre, Lucy MacRae, Lisa Brown; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Rianna Darroch; Poppy Fletcher, Aicha Sutcliffe, Eilidh Fleming, Charlotte Russell, Aisha Zameer, Lily Crisp, Isobel Twigger, Merryn Gunderson (C). Subs: Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh, Faye Sutherland, Holly Wilson, Gemma Thomson, Rebekah Douglas, Poppy Mellanby, Freya MacColl.
Scorers: Tries: Holly McIntyre, Emily Norval, Poppy Mellanby. Conversion: Lucy MacRae.
Scotland’s under-20 squad for the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series
Forwards: Emily Coubrough, Karis Craig, Lily Crisp, Eilidh Fleming, Poppy Fletcher, Merryn Gunderson, Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh, Sophie Price, Megan Riach, Charlotte Russell, Aicha Sutcliffe, Faye Sutherland, Louise Taperell, Gemma Thomson, Isobel Twigger, Holly Wilson, Aisha Zameer.
Backs: Ceitidh Ainsworth, Lisa Brown, Rianna Darroch, Rebekah Douglas, Nicole Flynn, Scarlett Haddow, Emily Love, Freya MacColl, Lucy MacRae, Holly McIntyre, Poppy Mellanby, Emily Norval.
Tickets for Scotland-England at Murrayfield in April 2026 can be purchased here.
Scotland’s under-20s are pictured at the anthems and scoring their three tries versus England
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