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Details

Date Time Competition Season
3 February 2023 7:00 pm U20 Six Nations 2022/23

Match Report

Ireland U20’s Begin Defence Of Six Nations Crown On Positive Note

Ireland U20s began their Six Nations title defence in style thanks to an exhilarating second half in Colwyn Bay saw them run out 44-27 winners away to Wales tonight.

Despite a bumbling start in possession, it was Ireland who struck first.  Conor Ó Tighearnaigh finishing off a line break from captain Gus McCarthy, converted by Sam Prendergast. 

They were instantly pegged back though as Wales centre Louie Hennessy careered through the defence, combining with Harri Houston, to finish out wide.  Daniel Edwards’ conversion levelled matters, 7-7 and a rip-roaring start!

An Edwards penalty nudged Wales ahead before they struck a second try.  Winger Llien Morgan applying the accelerators to put a finishing touch to sumptuous passage of passing play by the backs. 

Tighthead Paddy McCarthy wrested Ireland back to one point before the break, winning a scrum penalty deep in Welsh territory and proving to be unstoppable from close range. 

Ten minutes into the second half and Edwards found himself in the bin for a high tackle on Hugh Cooney.  Yet it was the hosts who were more at home a man down, hooker Sam Scarfe rampaging clear after a rapid break by Archie Hughes.  Wales 20-14 up and Ireland needing a response.

Slick interplay between Predergast and Fintan Gunne, excellent in defence all night, created space for full back Harry Nicholson who shimmed over in the corner.  Prendergast’s fine kick edging the away side ahead, 20-21.

The fly half added a penalty before McCarthy and Prendergast assisted Ruadhan Quinn, the flanker scoring Ireland’s fourth, BP try and giving them breathing space, now nine points in front.

Nicholson got a brace and another Prendergast penalty put Ireland in complete control. 

Morgan, electric throughout, earned Wales a deserved BP with two minutes left.  But Ireland had the final say, substitute Harry McErlean rolling over under the posts.

That left a 44-27 win for the boys in green and a positive result to build on as they seek to retain their title. 

Wales

15Cameron Winnett 22 Full-Back
14Llien Morgan Winger 19', 78'
13Louie Hennessey Centre 10'
12Harri Ackerman Centre
11Harri Houston 23 Winger
10Daniel Edwards Fly-Half 11', 79'
17'
50'
9Archie Hughes 21 Scrum-Half 54'
1Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths 17 Prop
2Sam Scarfe 16 Hooker 52'
3Tomas Pritchard 18 Prop
4Liam Edwards 20 Lock
5Jonny Green 19 Lock
6Ryan Woodman Flanker
7Luca Giannini Flanker
8Huw Davies No. 8
16Isaac Young 2
17Freddie Chapman 1
18Ellis Fackrell 3
19Owain Evans 5
20Mackenzie Martin 4 No. 8
21Harri Williams 9
22Harrison James 15
23Tom Florence 11

Ireland

15James Nicholson Full-Back 55', 66'
14Ike Anagu 23 Winger
13Hugh Cooney Centre
12John Devine Centre
11Hugh Gavin Winger
10Sam Prendergast 22 Fly-Half 9', 33', 56'
61', 74'
9Fintan Gunne 21 Scrum-Half
1George Hadden 17 Prop
2Gus McCarthy 16 Hooker
3Paddy McCarthy 18 Prop 32'
4Diarmuid Mangan Lock
5Conor Ó Tighearnaigh Lock 8'
6James McNabney 19 Flanker
7Ruadhan Quinn 20 Flanker 62'
8Brian Gleeson No. 8
16Danny Sheahan 2 Hooker
17George Morris 1 Prop
18Fiachna Barrett 3 Prop
19Evan O’Connell 6 Lock
20Jacob Sheahan 7 Flanker
21Oscar Cawley 9 Scrum-Half
22Harry West 10 Fly-Half 81'
23Henry McErlean 14 Full-Back 80'

Past Meetings

(Round 2)
26 - 27
Celtic Challenge
Cardiff Arms Park

Wales v Ireland

(Round 1)
19 - 27
Women's Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Round 1)
29 - 7
Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Round 1)
53 - 5
U20 Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Week 1)
21 - 16
Six Nations
Principality Stadium

Wales v Ireland

Ground

Principality Stadium
Castle Quarter, Cardiff, Wales