Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland 43-8 Wales - Hosts keep Grand Slam hopes alive with big win in Cork
- Published
Ben O'Connor scores the sixth try for Ireland's under-20s in the Six Natiosn clash against Wales
Under-20s Six Nations |
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Ireland (17) 43 |
Tries: Edogbo, Gavin, Walker, Sheahan 2, O'Connor Pens: J Murphy Cons: J Murphy 4, McNaughton |
Wales (3) 8 |
Tries: I Davies Pens: Wilde |
Ireland kept their challenge for a third consecutive Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam alive with a commanding 43-8 win over Wales in Cork.
Sean Edogbo and Hugh Gavin scored first-half tries for Ireland as they led 17-3, before turning on the style after the interval.
Henry Walker, Danny Sheahan with two tries, and Ben O'Connor all added their names to the scoresheet.
The only Welsh try came from Ieuan Davies.
Ireland made a nervous start in front of the 8,500 sell-out crowd as the two sides traded early penalties.
Jack Murphy put the home side in front in the eighth minute, but despite having hooker Harry Thomas yellow-carded shortly afterwards, Wales were back on level terms thanks to the boot of Harri Wilde, who converted a difficult kick after Ireland were penalised at the scrum.
With the man advantage, Ireland began to settle into the game and scored the first try in the 17th minute.
From a driving maul the forwards held on to the ball and it was Edogbo, who scored the late game-winning try against Italy two weeks ago, who crashed over from close range.
Both sides had periods of possession in the oppositions territory, but the heavy drizzle contributed to a number of handling errors that stymied some good attacking positions.
It was Ireland who finished the half strongly however and scored a well-worked second try.
Gavin started and finished the move, his initial break put the Welsh defence on the back foot.
From there, all the hard yards were covered by the forwards as the Irish pack put the ball through the phases before eventually releasing the powerfully built Connacht centre, who took three defenders with him as he bullied his way over the line.
Fourteen points ahead, Ireland started the second half on the front foot and punished Welsh transgressions with a third try, five minutes after the restart.
A penalty conceded at a maul by Wales lock Jonny Green saw Ireland kick for the corner, win the lineout and drive towards the try line.
It was Ulster hooker Walker who broke away from the back of the maul after spotting no Welsh fringe defenders to stop him scoring.
The best period of the game for Wales came shortly afterwards and they were rewarded in the 54th minute when Harri Ford's break and inside pass set Davies on his way.
However, that only seemed to galvanise Ireland, as replacement hooker Sheahan scored two tries in the space of four minutes with both coming from driving mauls that the Welsh defence could not stop.
Murphy's 100% record with the boot came to an end when he failed to convert the fifth try.
There was still time for a rampant Ireland to break away and score again through the pace of winger Finn Treacy, who set full-back Ben O'Connor clear to score his second try of the championship.
Murphy's replacement Sean Naughton rounded off the scoring by adding the conversion.
Ireland's victory sets up a mouth-watering game against England in two weeks' time.
Ireland U20: Ben O'Connor (Munster); Finn Treacy (Connacht), Wilhelm de Klerk (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), Hugo McLaughlin (Leinster); Jack Murphy (Leinster), Oliver Coffey (Leinster); Ben Howard (Leinster), Henry Walker (Ulster), Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks), Joe Hopes (Ulster), Evan O'Connell (Munster, capt), Sean Edogbo (Munster), Bryn Ward (Ulster), Luke Murphy (Munster).
Replacements: Danny Sheahan (Munster), Alex Usanov (Leinster), Jacob Boyd (Ulster), Billy Corrigan (Leinster), Tom Brigg (Ulster), Tadhg Brophy (Leinster), Sean Naughton (Connacht), Davy Colbert (Leinster).
Wales U20: Huw Anderson (Dragons); Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Harri Ackerman (Dragons, capt), Walker Price (Dragons); Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Ieuan Davies (Bath); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Midlands Central), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff).
Replacements: Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Jordan Morris (Dragons), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Ebbw Vale), Will Plessis (Scarlets), Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys), Harri Ford (RGC), Macs Page (Scarlets).