Under-20s Six Nations: Ireland 38-41 Wales

Josh Reynolds of Wales takes on Jack Aungier of Ireland

Wales under-20s held on for their second win of the season with a thrilling 41-38 victory over Ireland at a freezing Donnybrook.

The artificial surface produced a frantic tempo as Ireland fought back to earn two bonus points.

James Botham with two tries, Tommy Rogers, Max Williams, Tommy Reffell and Callum Carson crossed for Wales.

Jack O'Sullivan also scored with two tries as Angus Curtis, Johnny Stewart and Harry O'Brien replied for Ireland.

The Welsh travelling fans were in fine voice with Irish support depleted by a clash with Leinster's Pro14 game, and Wales scored within two minutes as Rogers was given a simple overlap chance from a scrum 40 metres out.

Meanwhile Williams and Botham, grandson of cricket legend Ian Botham, drove over from close quarters as Wales raced to a 19-3 lead.

But Ireland cut down their errors and Curtis crossed from a Ronan Kelleher break after 36 minutes to keep them in the game.

The Welsh bonus point came from captain Reffell straight from the second-half kick-off before Ireland had touched the ball.

But Ireland kept fighting with two tries from number eight and man of the match O'Sullivan and another from Stewart. Harry Byrne added 11 points, while Wales kept in front through Botham's second try and a clean Carson break.

Cai Evans added a crucial penalty to his four conversions for Wales to make it a 10-point gap.

Ireland were still not finished and home skipper O'Brien sprinted through for Stewart to convert and set up a nerve-jangling finish, with Wales just managing to play down the clock.

Wales under-20 head coach Jason Strange told BBC Radio Wales Sport: "Talk about emotional experience and rollercoasters.

"The extremes were unbelievable tonight but overall some of the rugby played by both sides was fantastic.

"We have got lots of work to do on bits of our game but credit to our players, I thought it was excellent."

Ireland U20: Michael Silvester; Tommy O'Brien (both Leinster), James Hume, Angus Curtis (both Ulster), James McCarthy (Munster); Harry Byrne (Leinster), Jonny Stewart (Ulster); Jordan Duggan, Ronan Kelleher, Jack Aungier, Cormac Daly, Jack Dunne (all Leinster), Sean Masterson (Connacht), Matthew Agnew (Ulster), Jack O'Sullivan (Munster).

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, James French (both Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Charlie Ryan, Ronan Foley, Hugh O'Sullivan, Conor Dean (all Leinster), Angus Kernohan (Ulster).

Wales U20: Cai Evans (Ospreys); Joe Goodchild (Dragons), Callum Carson (Ospreys), Max Llewellyn (Blues), Tommy Rogers (Scarlets); Ben Jones (Blues), Harri Morgan (Ospreys); Josh Reynolds (Dragons), Iestyn Harris (Blues), Rhys Henry (Ospreys), Owen Lloyd (Blues), Max Williams (Dragons), Tommy Reffell (Leicester, capt), James Botham (Blues), Taine Basham (Dragons)

Replacements: Rhys Carre (Blues), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Jack Pope (Bridgend), Morgan Morris (Ospreys), Dan Babos (Dragons), Ben Thomas (Blues), Dafydd Smith (Blues).