Wales U20s beat Ireland for first back-to-back wins in five years

Steff Emanuel scored a first-half try for Wales at Rodney Parade

2025 Under-20 Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Wales (14) 20

Tries: Penalty Try, S Emanuel Cons: Wilde Pens: Wilde, Ford

Ireland (12) 12

Tries: Walker, Smyth Cons: Green

Wales Under-20s secured their first win against Ireland in the Six Nations since 2017 with a hard-fought and spirited 20-12 victory at Newport's Rodney Parade.

An early penalty try and Steff Emanuel's individual score put Wales in control but Ireland hit back with tries from Henry Walker and Eoghan Smyth to reduce the deficit to two points at the break.

Second-half penalties from Harri Wilde and Harri Ford, along with a heroic defensive display that included 228 tackles, saw the hosts home for the win.

It secured back-to-back victories in the championship for the first time since 2020 and a much-needed boost for Welsh rugby.

Wales' win over Ireland follows the dramatic 20-18 win in Italy a fortnight earlier after they had lost 63-19 in France in the opening game.

Wales head coach Richard Whiffin made four changes for the game in Newport.

Bath full-back Jack Woods replaced Scott Delnevo in the only backline change.

Bath's Ioan Emanuel returned to loose-head prop in place of Louie Trevett while RGC's Tom Cottle came into the second row, with Dan Gemine moving from lock to blind-side flanker in place of Deian Gwynne.

Wales were ahead inside the opening four minutes when they were awarded a penalty try following a driving maul, with Ireland's Billy Corrigan receiving a yellow card.

Ireland responded with their first attack and were denied their first points with the television match official (TMO) ruling Charlie Molony knocked on as he was attempting to ground the ball in the corner.

The hosts extended their lead when Steff Emanuel picked up a loose ball and showed a clean pair of heels to outpace the Irish defence for Wales' second try, converted by Wilde.

An Irish driving maul led to their opening try, scored by Walker, but his Ulster team-mate Dan Green failed to add the extra points.

The visitors heaped pressure on the Welsh defence during the closing minutes of the first half and they were rewarded when Smyth went over from close range, with Green successful with his conversion.

Fly-half Wilde's final contribution in the game before being replaced was to extend Wales' lead to five points early in the second half.

Wales preserved the lead with a heroic second-half defensive display during which they were under pressure for long periods.

The hosts sealed a deserved second win in this year's championship with a late penalty from replacement Ford.

Wales Under-20s: Jack Woods; Aidan Boshoff, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Tom Bowen; Harri Wilde, Logan Franklin; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemaine, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Minto

Replacements: Evan Wood, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Luke Evans, Caio James, Sion Davies, Harri Ford, Elijah Evans.

Ireland Under-20s: Daniel Green; Charlie Molony, Connor Fahy, Eoghan Smyth, Ciarán Mangan; Sam Wisniewski, Clark Logan; Billy Bohan, Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan, Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Éanna McCarthy.

Replacements: Mikey Yarr, Paddy Moore, Alex Mullan, Conor Kennelly, David Walsh, Will Wootton, Tom Wood, Gene O'Leary Kareem.