Five Scotland U20 stars to watch at World Rugby Championships

It will, realistically, be incredibly difficult for Scotland to emerge from a fearsome group with England, Australia and South Africa. The young Scots kick-off against England on Sunday 29, before playing the Springboks on Friday 4 July and culminating against the Wallabies on Wednesday 9 July. 

While results are obviously important at youth level, the development of players is equally crucial to ultimately prepare them for stepping up to senior level - the main objective for every U20 player. 

David Nucifora, Scottish Rugby’s performance director, will surely be watching with interest despite his role with the British and Irish Lions but Gregor Townsend will be analysing the performances of future prospects.

We’ve selected five starlets to watch closely as they possess the potential to become future stars.

Freddy Douglas 

Douglas is unquestionably the star name in the Scotland squad and is co-captain, alongside Johnny Ventisei. The back-row was propelled into the public eye when he was named in Townsend’s Scotland squad for the Autumn Nations Series, despite not making his competitive debut for Edinburgh.

Any hope of managing expectations around Douglas were certainly not helped by Scotland coach John Dalziel claiming that he was already ‘world-class’.

He’s not, but Douglas can reach a level when that billing will be justified. Edinburgh have been cautious with Douglas’ integration into the first-team but the 20-year-old should become a regular next season.

All eyes will be on him at the U20 championships. 

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Seb Stephen

“I am very proud of him. He was excellent and is definitely a future star," Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith was effusive in praise for Stephen after his professional debut in May and rightly so.

The Aberdeenshire born hooker was thrown in from the start away to Leinster, arguably the best club side in the world, with an intimidating front row of Irish internationationals.

Stephen was completely unfazed, which is an incredibly positive sign about his temperament, and his physicality at just 19 stood out. The young Warrior’s line-out throws were pinpoint and he’s worked tirelessly on his technical skills over the last 12 months. There’s no reason why Stephen can’t push for regular gametime at hooker at Glasgow next season. 

(Image: SNS Group / SRU)

Fergus Watson 

The Glasgow Warriors youngster was excellent during the U20 Six Nations, with his stunning finish against Ireland an individual highlight.

Watson is naturally a fullback but can be deployed on the wing, which should boost his chances of minutes next season at club level.

Glasgow are well stocked at fullback with Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe and Ollie Smith above Watson in the pecking order but the Biggar High School graduate has always impressed for Scotland at youth level.  

Reuben Logan 

Logan will naturally receive the limelight given his parents - former Scotland international Kenny and broadcaster Gabby - but he will make his own name.  Reuben switched between Scotland and England throughout youth levels, playing for the English at U20 level, but he finally decided to pull on the dark blue ahead of the U20 Six Nations - to the delight of his father.

The 19-year-old impressed during those championships with his physicality and dynamism catching the eye. Logan started his career as a back but switched to the back-row and his best position moving forward will be at number 8.

The youngster featured for Northampton in the English Premiership last season but he will make the switch to Sale Sharks this summer.

(Image: SNS Group / SRU)

Matthew Urwin

Like Watson, Urwin needs to push for minutes at Glasgow next season but there could be an opening. Tom Jordan’s departure for Bristol Bears leaves Adam Hastings and veteran Duncan Weir, plus newcomer Charlie Savala at fly-half so he must target making his professional debut next season.

Urwin started all five U20 Six Nations games, with his best performances arriving in the thriller against France when he scored 13 points.

Scotland’s pack will be under significant pressure at the U20 championships so Urwin is unlikely to receive good ball regularly but it’s a good challenge to show he can compete against the best young players in the world.