Under-20 Six Nations: Wales 27-44 Ireland

Ospreys wing Llien Morgan dives over to score a superb Welsh try

Defending champions Ireland began the Under-20 Six Nations with a 44-27 victory over Wales in Colwyn Bay.

Wales led at the break thanks to tries from Louie Hennessey and Llien Morgan.

But Conor O'Tighearnaigh and Paddy McCarthy crossed for Ireland before half-time and the visitors pulled clear in the second half.

James Nicholson scored two tries while Ruadhán Quinn and Henry McErlean also went over, though Sam Scarfe and Morgan crossed to give Wales a bonus point.

Wales took the game to Ireland early on, yet it was last year's Grand Slam winners who struck first.

Ireland hammered away at the try line after a lost Welsh lineout and it was the towering O'Tighearnaigh who eventually crashed over, with Sam Prendergast adding the conversion.

Wales responded immediately, Hennessey going over unopposed in the corner and Dan Edwards converting.

Edwards kicked a penalty before Wales scored a fabulous second try, with Hennessey and Cameron Winnett offloading brilliantly before Edwards sent Morgan racing over.

Yet Byron Hayward's Wales side were only a point ahead at the break after the big Irish pack forced a penalty at the scrum and Prendergast opted to kick to the corner.

The decision paid off as Ireland won the lineout and prop McCarthy crossed from close range, with Prendergast converting once more.

Ireland improved considerably after the break, with Wales' cause not helped by a yellow card for Edwards for a high tackle on Hugh Cooney.

Wales struck when they were a man down, with speedster Morgan bursting down the right before feeding Archie Hughes, who delivered the try-scoring pass to hooker Scarfe.

Ireland replied almost instantly, Nicholson stepping and stretching over in the corner and Prendergast's conversion putting his team 21-20 ahead.

Prendergast added a penalty before Ireland broke from their own half to score a memorable fourth try, Nicholson delivering the final pass for Quinn to secure a bonus point.

With Wales fading, Leinster fly-half Prendergast's good work sent Nicholson in for his second before Prendergast kicked another penalty.

The hosts were left with a point to show for their efforts when more fine handling from Hennessey saw Morgan score their fourth try late on, only for McErlean's converted score to stretch Ireland's advantage right at the end.

Wales, who finished fifth in last year's Six Nations, now prepare for a trip to Scotland on 10 February.

England then visit Colwyn Bay on 24 February before Wales complete the tournament with trips to Italy (10 March) and France (19 March).

Wales captain Ryan Woodman:

"We are gutted. First half we were probably the better team but at the end of the day accuracy… we just need to take our chances when they come.

"We lost control of the game second half. Their tails came up and our heads probably dropped a little bit, so we need to work on that for the next game.

"First half the boys were really good. The forwards fronted up and the backs were class like we expected, but we need to take opportunities when they come."

Wales Under-20s: Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); Llien Morgan (Ospreys), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Harri Ackerman (Dragons), Harri Houston (Ospreys); Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Archie Hughes (Scarlets); Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons), Sam Scarfe (Dragons), Tomas Pritchard (Scarlets), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Ryan Woodman (Dragons, capt), Luca Giannini (Scarlets), Huw Davies (Sale).

Replacements: Isaac Young (Scarlets), Freddie Chapman (Ospreys), Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), Owain Evans (RGC), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff), Harri Williams (Scarlets), Harrison James (Cardiff), Tom Florence (Ospreys).

Ireland Under-20s: James Nicholson (UCD RFC/Leinster); Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster), John Devine (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); George Hadden (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster, capt), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Conor O'Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster).

Replacements: Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster), George Morris (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Jacob Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster), Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC/Leinster), Harry West (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht), Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC/Leinster).

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)