Scotland highest ever placing in the Rugby World Under-20 Championship, following the young Scots’ victory against Wales on Tuesday, has provided confirmation that the BT Academy system is having a positive effect.

That is the view, certainly, of Sean Lineen, the former Scotland grand slam centre, and now Murrayfield’s head of national age-grade rugby. “The Academy structures are now showing through.” Lineen said. “But we’ve got to keep driving forward in the 16-20 age group. We’ve got two teams at under-16 so that gives us a wider base.”

But Lineen is adamant that success this year has also come from within the squad. “For a start the coaches have done a great job. Look, it’s three wins from four games. The team has grown fitter. We have a good forward pack, our kicking game is better and we have excellent runners in Darcy Graham and Ross McCann.

“I think, too, that the boys have adjusted well to this level of competition. Crucially the big names have fronted up and just as important our two main props have got a lot fitter.

“But it’s tough in Scottish age grade rugby. Wales have far more players than us. As far as I’m concerned the lads have exceeded what we expected of them.” stated Lineen.

Scotland have been steadily improving at under-20 level over the past three years. In both 2015 and 2016 the Scots finished in a then highest ever eighth position to suggest an improving picture of age grade rugby. A fifth or sixth finish this year will confirm that upward trajectory.

That is probably about the best Scotland can hope for. To mix it with the top four Scotland would have to have an exceptional squad containing a high percentage of already contracted professional players. This year’s squad has been fortunate in being able to call on Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn and with skipper Callum Hunter-Hill and back row Matt Fagerson having played for Glasgow Warriors there is the professional experience needed at this level.

Of course in age grade rugby teams change every year. Last year in Manchester Ireland had a strong squad that defeated New Zealand en route to finishing Championship runners-up. One year on Ireland find themselves in the bottom tier playing on Sunday for a ninth/tenth finishing spot, a position the Scots used to occupy with depressing regularity.