Ireland U20's got their Six Nations campaign off to a perfect start with a bonus point, 53-5 win over Wales at Musgrave Park.

Richie Murphy’s side ran in eight tries to cap off a dominant performance.

Ireland started the affair at an emphatic pace with captain Reuben Crothers and back row partner James Culhane making some big carries early on. The hosts’ early pressure paid off with Charlie Tector giving his side a three point lead inside the first three minutes.

Ireland found their first try of the night through Bristol Bears’ Chay Mullins. The home side found themselves with a scrum on the ten metre line inside the Wales half.

Devine fed the ball out to Patrick Campbell who raced down the right wing before offloading to Chay Mullins who stepped inside Oli Andrew to finish in the corner.

Ireland’s sheer physicality and fast flowing rugby continued to cause Wales trouble with the visitors conceding ten penalties inside the first twenty minutes. Oli Andrew was the man who was finally penalised for Wales after the referee adjudged the winger to deliberately knock the ball on.

Moments after Andrew’s temporary dismissal, Matthew Devine found space following an Irish lineout on the Welsh five metre line. The Connacht and Galway Corinthians man danced through tackles before sliding underneath the posts to increase his side’s advantage.

The home side did find their third of the half after an excellent line break from hooker James McCormick. Ireland recycled the ball and second row Mark Morrissey finished from close range to give Ireland a 22-0 lead at the interval.

The youthful Irish put their foot to the gas immediately from the start of the second period and were rewarded with their bonus point try. Reuben Crothers scored from close range after some big carries off the back of an Irish lineout.

Ireland’s composure and dominance at the lineout produced their fifth try of the evening when James McNabney powered home from metres out.

Wales’ disciplinary problems continued and it was second row, Joe Preard who became the second Welsh player dismissed.

Chay Mullins scored his second of the game after some brilliant link up with Fionn Gibbons inside the Welsh half. Gibbons broke through attempted Welsh tackles before releasing Mullins who turned on the afterburners and raced over the try line.

Ireland used their lineout exceptionally again just after the hour mark. Hooker James McCormick was next on the scoresheet after diving over at the back of a maul.

Wales tried to get themselves some territory inside the Irish 22 metre line in the final ten minutes. The visitors were rewarded with a consolation try, five minutes from time when Oli Andrews backed himself near the Irish try line and found his side’s only points of the game.

Ireland never stopped until the final whistle and their relentless nature showed when Ben Brownlee scored in the final play to seal an eight-try victory for Ireland.

It’s a trip to France next for the Irish in what is sure to be a more difficult task for tonight’s winners.