Under-20 Six Nations: Wales, Ireland and England win on opening day in Cardiff
- Published
Wales, Ireland and England were the victors on the opening day of the delayed Under-20s Six Nations.
Ireland easily won against Scotland 38-7, England defeated France 38-22 and Wales beat Italy 25-8.
It was the first of five triple headers played at the Arms Park in Cardiff in under a month.
Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow kicked 18 points to help Wales win an ill-disciplined encounter with five players yellow-carded.
Italian trio Nicola Piantella, Lorenzo Cannone and Filippo Drago and Welsh duo Garyn Phillips and Harri Deaves were sent to the sin-bin by Georgia referee Nika Amashukeli.
Costelow kicked five penalties and a drop-goal, while Wales also managed a penalty try as the home side were indebted to an outstanding man-of-the-match performance from flanker Deaves. Italy responded with a score for prop Ion Neculai.
Ireland had opened the day with a 38-7 six-try victory over 14-man Scotland as flanker Harri Morris was sent off for taking out full-back Jamie Osborne in the air.
Alex Soroka, Sam Illo, captain Alex Kendellen, Shane Jennings and Osborne scored alongside a penalty try while Scotland responded with a score from centre Elliot Gourlay.
England triumphed 38-22 after bouncing back from a 19-3 half-time deficit with France wing Nelson Epee scoring a first-half hat-trick.
England reacted in the second-half with two tries from Sam Riley and other scores from flanker Lucas Brooke, son of former New Zealand back-rower Zinzan, full-back Orlando Bailey and wing Arthur Relton. Fly-half Fin Smith added 13 points.
The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year's condensed format will see five matchdays featuring three games played consecutively.
The second round of matches on Friday, 25 June will see England face Scotland, Italy play France and Wales host Ireland.