WALES Under-20s were brought back to earth with a bump by Scotland, who triumphed 36-34 in challenging conditions at Netherdale.

The Welsh youngsters beat world champions England in their Six Nations opener but were downed by the Scots in the rain of the Borders.

They ran in five tries but let slip a commanding 24-12 lead and were left to rue an error-strewn second half performance.

It leaves them now needing to fight back against France, grand slam winners last year, on February 28 to keep alive their title hopes.

Scotland had lost 47-6 to France in the opener but quickly showed that they were a different side on home turf when scrum-half George Horne banged over a pair of penalties for a 6-0 lead.

Wales struck back through their driving lineout with flanker Tom Phillips barging over from close range and then used their pack to hammer away to enable Ospreys full-back Dafydd Howells, a full cap, to go over down the left.

Fly-half Dan Jones converted the second score and Horne added another three-pointer before Wales scored a pair of crackers, Scarlets wing Joshua Adams showing pace and power to cross and then, after yet another Horne penalty, Cardiff Blues centre Garyn Smith raced over to make it 24-12.

However, Scotland came storming back and led 29-24 after 50 minutes with tries either side of half-time by loosehead Murray McCallum and lock Lewis Carmichael plus seven points from the boot of Horne.

Jones reduced the deficit but Wales were up against it when lock Adam Beard was yellow-carded for a high tackle and then tighthead Zander Fagerson barged over to make it 36-27.

Back came the 14-men and Adams was put over in the right corner after a patient, multi-phase attack on the line with Jones converting superbly but another score was beyond them.

Wales U20 scorers: tries – T Phillips, D Howells, J Adams (2), G Smith; conversions – D Jones (3); penalty – D Jones

Scotland U20 scorers: tries – M McCallum, L Carmichael, Z Fagerson; conversions – G Horne (3); penalties – G Horne (5)