{"id":265608,"date":"2025-07-15T00:56:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T00:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/265608\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T00:56:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T00:56:12","slug":"scots-pride-after-scratching-seven-year-itch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/265608\/","title":{"rendered":"Scots pride after scratching seven year itch"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Scotland'sScotland’s never-say-die attitude was key to long-awaited win over Ireland. Image: World Rugby <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

KENNY MURRAY says Scotland have \u201cjustified\u201d their place in the Junior World Championships after defeating Ireland 22-21 for their first win in the tournament in seven years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a gruelling pool stage, the young Scots will now face Georgia in the 9th-10th place final, a game Murray believes the side will need to deliver a step-up in performance in if they are going to win, despite his pride in the character the team has shown in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

An expansion of the competition next year means that the bottom team will not be relegated this year, but Murray has made it clear that the challenge facing his team was to avoid that 12th place finish regardless of whether it has a material impact going forward.<\/p>\n

World Rugby U20 Championship: Scotland clinch dramatic win over Ireland at the death<\/a><\/p>\n

Two key Scots injured for Friday\u2019s tour finale against Samoa<\/a><\/p>\n

The Monday Bulletin (14th July): Scots on World Cup duty and Springbok ploy sparks debate<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our goals was to stay in the tournament and justify our position here, finishing outside those relegation places. So I\u2019m really pleased that we are in that 9th-10th position,\u201d said Murray. \u201cOf course we want to be higher up the ladder, but we\u2019ve earned the right to stay in this competition. I take my hat o\ufb00 to the boys for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re not winning games, your self-belief drops a little bit but I thought the players really dug in, never gave up and found a way to win in that last play. I\u2019m really pleased for the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going into the final game of the competition, Murray believes the game had positives on which the players can build, whilst also stressing the parts that needed work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we scored some good tries and looked sharp when we got the ball,\u201d he said. \u201cOur set-piece was generally pretty strong. There were a few guys starting to tire towards the second half but we were pretty solid in our scrum in particular. Defensively we looked good structurally.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just needed a wee bit more pressure in the breakdown. I felt our second man in the collision didn\u2019t have enough impact so that is one thing we\u2019ll work on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having been through intense heat, a group of death, illness and a fair few injuries, Murray praised the mental strength his players have shown in the past few weeks which will stand them in good stead in their careers to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve come through a tough group one I think the boys have shown real resilience, it says a lot about them as players and all the sta\ufb00 that have supported the players during the tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe guys all want to be pro players and they want to play for their country at the top level. If you want to do that, you need to be able to cope and play against teams at this level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of learning from the competition for everybody, sta\ufb00 and players. A big thing for me is that they\u2019re going to be better from taking part in this tournament. They\u2019ll learn a huge amount about themselves and the places they can take themselves to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe weather\u2019s put them in dark places at times and playing so many games in 20 days is unusual for them. I\u2019m really pleased with how they\u2019ve adapted to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s improvements over recent years can be pinned, in part, on their increasing depth and<\/p>\n

competition for places, with\u00a0 substitute and match winner Jake Shearer<\/strong> just one example.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe write a sub-strategy for every game, who we\u2019re bringing on and when we\u2019re bringing them on. It could change depending on injuries but we know exactly who we\u2019re bringing on,\u201d explained Murray. \u201cToday we were able to bring on guys like Joe Roberts<\/strong>, Joe is a really good player so that gives you a real strength when he comes on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame with guys like Jed Findlay.<\/strong> He\u2019s another good, strong player.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they look forward to Georgia in just five days\u2019 time, Murray was pleased to come through the Irish encounter relatively unscathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe picked up a few bumps and bruises but hopefully nothing major in terms of injury,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to beating Spain, Georgia had lost to Ireland and New Zealand before drawing with hosts Italy.<\/p>\n

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World Rugby U20 Championship: Scotland clinch dramatic win over Ireland at the death<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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