Dragons RFC full back Sam Morgan grabbed a try brace as Wales Under-18s secured a 34-15 victory over Scotland in their opening game of the U18 Six Nations festival being held in Vichy, France.
Four Dragons were named in the side for the opening game of the Six Nations festival at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon with Dragons U18s captain Tiaan Hall starting at hooker, while there were also places in the XV for fullback Morgan, wing Ryley Fussell and Will Ford at outside half.
Wales were the first to score in the eighth minute when Dragons wing Fussell went over in the corner after Richie Pugh’s side stole a Scotland line-out.
Scotland full back Alex Sneddon levelled the score in the 21st minute when he slid through the Welsh cover to score out wide but Wales were quick to recapture the lead only two minutes later when Dylan Quin finished off a slick counter-attack. Will Ford’s conversion put Wales 12-5 ahead.
Full back Morgan made it a clean sweep of tries for the back three when he dotted down to give Wales a 17-5 cushion at the break.
Quin pounced on a Scottish error in the second minute of the second half to scamper home from 30m. Ford’s excellent conversion gave Wales a handy 24-5 lead.
Scotland hit back when Rowan Walsh scrambled over from close range to keep the Scots in touch.
Wales maintained scoreboard pressure when Ford added a short range penalty but Scotland replied with impressive winger Ben McDonald scorching over to make it 27-15 after 45mins.
Wales were under siege as the boys in blue attacked constantly but Pugh’s side stood firm and sealed victory when Morgan plucked the ball from a Robson pass and had the easy task of running 50 metres unopposed to give Ford the easiest of conversions to ensure Wales opened the festival with a comfortable victory.
