U20 Six Nations: Ireland 53-5 Wales

Chay Mullins goes over for one of his two tries

Ireland scored eight tries as they began the 2022 Under-20 Six Nations with a resounding 53-5 victory against Wales at Musgrave Park.

Chay Mullins, Matthew Devine and Mark Morrissey claimed first-half tries for the dominant hosts.

Reuben Crothers scored Ireland's bonus-point try early in the second period.

There were further scores from James McNabney, Mullins, James McCormick and Ben Brownlee, with Oli Andrew claiming a late try for Wales.

Charlie Tector's penalty put Ireland ahead before the opening try came from a scrum, with sharp handling allowing Bristol wing Mullins to cross near the corner flag.

Wales' cause was not helped when Oli Andrew was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, and Ireland quickly made the 14 men pay.

Ireland won scrappy lineout ball in the Welsh 22, but that did not matter as Devine's sidestep took him beyond prop Joe Cowell and over for the game's second try. Tector added the extra two points.

Mullins thought he had a second try only for the TMO to rule - somewhat harshly - that McCormick had obstructed a Welsh tackler.

But Ireland did score again within a couple of minutes as they surged upfield and Morrissey crossed from close range, with Tector converting.

The second half began in similar fashion, as skipper Crothers drove over from close range - with Tector again adding the extras - before McNabney quickly followed suit after a driving maul.

Lock Joe Peard paid the price for a raft of Welsh infringements as he was sent to the sinbin for being on the wrong side, and Irish dominance continued as more good handling saw Mullins run in his second score.

McCormick went over after another driving maul before Conor O'Tighearnaigh was denied a score because of a tackle off the ball.

Wales responded in the closing minutes, with wing Andrew running from just outside the Irish 22 to finish impressively.

But Ireland had the final word as Brownlee's strength took him over, with Tony Butler converting with the last kick of the game.

• Six Nations Under-20s: Coverage and fixtures

Ireland Under-20s: Patrick Campbell; Chay Mullins, Fionn Gibbons, Ben Brownlee, Shane Mallon; Charlie Tector, Matthew Devine; Jack Boyle, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Mark Morrissey, James McNabney, Reuben Crothers (capt), James Culhane.

Replacements: Josh Hanlon, Oisin Michel, Rory McGuire, Adam McNamee, Ronan O'Sullivan, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Aitzol King.

Wales Under-20s: Cameron Winnett; Harri Huston, Bryn Bradley, Eddie James Oli Andrew; Daniel Edwards, Harri Williams; Joe Cowell, Efan Daniel, Nathan Evans, Joe Peard, Lewis Jones, Alex Mann (capt), Ethan Fackrell, Ben Moa.

Replacements: Morgan Vennes, Rhys Barratt, Ellis Fackrell, Benji Williams, Tom Cowan, Morgan Lloyd, Jac Lloyd, Joe Hawkins.