FOURTEEN-MAN Scotland have lost their opening encounter in the Under-20s Six Nations Championships.

The Scotland team, featuring East Lothian’s Scott King, Cameron Scott and Ben Muncaster, opened the championships on Saturday against Ireland.

All matches in the tournament are being played at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales.

Ireland, who sat top of the Six Nations table last year with a 100 per cent record when the competition was halted by the coronavirus pandemic, opened the scoring before Scotland fought back to level the score.

Former Preston Lodge High School pupil Scott was heavily involved in the try.

He spotted space in behind the Irish defence and his clever kick allowed Elliot Gourlay to collect the ball and score.

Scott, who plays for Southern Knights/Edinburgh Rugby, also kicked the conversion to level the score.

Ireland would lead going into the half-time interval before the tie tipped in their favour when Harri Morris was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge in the air.

Ireland would go on to wrap up a comfortable 38-7 win.

King, of Port Seton, and Muncaster, of North Berwick, played the full 80 minutes, with Scott coming off just before the hour mark.

The tournament continues today (Friday) with Scotland facing England.