Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland beat Scotland but miss out on title
- Published
Hugo McLaughlin registered Ireland's first try of the game
Under-20 Six Nations |
|---|
Ireland: (7) 36 |
Tries: McLaughlin, O'Connor, Sheahan (2), Edogbo Pens: J Murphy Cons: J Murphy (4) |
Scotland: (0) 0 |
Tries: Cons: |
Ireland missed out on the Under-20 Six Nations title despite a hard-fought 36-0 win over bottom side Scotland.
England claimed the championship by a single point by defeating France 45-31 in Pau.
Hugo McLaughlin scored the only try of the first half as Ireland took a 7-0 lead at Musgrave Park in Cork.
But they took command in the second period as tries from Evan O'Connell, Danny Sheahan (2) and Sean Edogbo sealed the bonus-point success.
Ireland, despite missing out on a third consecutive title, are now unbeaten in 15 games in the Six Nations.
Both the Irish and England finished the tournament unbeaten, with four wins and a draw against each other, but Alan Dickens' side edged the title with five bonus-points compared to Ireland's four.
They recorded an 82-7 victory against Scotland in last year's Six Nations, but the visitors were much improved this time and were the better of the two sides in the first period.
It was a scrappy start from Ireland, with Scotland forcing the hosts into a number of handling errors.
They managed three turnovers as Ireland conceded six penalties in an error-strewn first-half display.
The hosts got their first chance in the 14th minute as Finn Treacy kicked forward and raced after it, but Isaac Coates covered well, scampering across to prevent Treacy from crossing.
Ireland made the breakthrough on 20 minutes after a well-worked move.
They capitalised on a mistake from Scottish debutant Jack Brown, before working the ball out to Henry Walker on the far side, who then offloaded to McLaughlin to dot down for the opening try. Jack Murphy nailed the conversion from a tight angle.
After their disjointed first period, Ireland improved to settle the outcome.
Murphy curled home an early penalty before the second try arrived on 59 minutes through captain O'Connor, who drove over after patient build-up play. Murphy was off target with the conversion.
As Scotland tired, Ireland capitalised, with replacement Sheahan powering over for Ireland's third try on 71 minutes after good work from the line-out and maul. Murphy added the extras from the tee.
Ireland sought to add gloss to the scoreline and a fourth try arrived five minutes later.
Edogbo surged over to clinch the bonus point, with Murphy again converting.
As the clock ticked into red, Ireland opted to keep playing and were rewarded with a fifth try.
Sheahan darted over despite pressure from two defenders, with Murphy rounding off the scoring with the conversion.
Line-ups
Ireland: O'Connor, Treacy, de Klerk, Gavin, McLaughlin, Murphy, Coffey, Usanov, Walker, Boyd, Hopes, O'Connell (capt), Edgobo, Ward, Murphy.
Replacements: Sheahan, Howard, Bell, Corrigan, McKillop, Brophy, Naughton, Colbert.
Scotland: Browne, Doyle, Ventisei, Thomson, Gwynn (co. capt), Coates, Patterson, Smyth, Blyth-Lafferty, Norrie, McVie, Hart (co. capt), Morris, Douglas, Currie.
Replacements: Brogan, Deans, Whitefield, Clarke, Job, Davey, McLean, Douglas.
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