WALES U20 20-12 IRELAND U20
Wales have pulled off the biggest shock of this year's U20 Six Nations, beating Ireland at Rodney Parade to secure victory over their Celtic rivals for the first time since 2018.
Ireland dominated possession and territory but were poor with their attack. They failed to adapt to the wet Newport conditions, coughing up error after error, while Wales’ defensive rearguard was something to behold after halftime.
That said, Ireland had three tries chalked off as Charlie Molony dropped the ball over the line while Henry Walker and Éanna McCarthy were held up. Despite the poor display, this was a game which was there to be won for Neil Doak’s side.
Ireland struggled from the off. Scrum-half Clark Logan was caught at the base of the ruck twice when shaping to box kick. Off the second mistake, Ireland infringed trying to save the situation. Wales kicked to the corner and after one maul failed, the second earned a penalty try as Billy Corrigan was sent to the bin.
Ireland thought they had hit back just minutes later. Sam Wisniewski looked to have sent Charlie Molony over in the corner with a beautiful flat pass. The wing was denied his fourth try in two games by a spill over the line, the TMO chalking off the score. Ireland were denied another try when Éanna McCarthy was held up over the line.
Disaster struck as Ireland continued to chase the game. Logan’s pass went between two runners instead of into a set of hands. Welsh eight Evan Minto hacked through. Wing Ciaran Mangan probably might think he should match Steffan Emmanuel for pace, but the centre burned him, getting to the loose ball first inside the 22 to score.
Down two scores, Ireland continued to chase the game. Only their attack stalled time and again playing with the wet ball. Passes hit the deck. Runners found themselves ahead of passers. Balls went loose in contact.
They did hold onto it long enough to eke a penalty which was sent into the corner. The following maul moved at a snail’s pace but the added impetus of a few backs allowed hooker Henry Walker to fall over the line.
If Ireland’s first try came from grunt, their second game from a rare moment of genius. Wisniewski was still willing to try things despite the catalogue of errors. His cross kick was perfectly weighted for Mangan to gather inside the 22. He was held short but Ireland recycled, Eoghan Smyth eventually barging over with the last play of the half.
Wales added an early penalty in the second half through Wilde. Ireland responded by again holding onto the ball for long periods but could not find any gaps inside the 22.
Their best chance came off a botched Wales lineout, Mikey Yarr looking to barrel over. For the second time on the night, a Welsh body got under an Irish carrier over the line.
The result was sealed, fittingly, when backup 10 Ford kicked a scrum penalty. Cue jubilant scenes amongst the 3,000-strong crowd.
Wales scorers: Tries: Penalty try, S Emmanuel. Surname number. Cons: Wilde (1)
Pens: Wilde (1), Ford (1)
Ireland scorers: Tries: Walker, Smyth. Cons: Green (1)
Wales U20: Woods; Boshoff, Roberts, S. Emmanuel, Bowen; Wilde, Franklin; I. Emmanuel, Thomas, Scott; Jenkins, Cottle; Gemine, Beddall (capt), Minto.
Replacements: Ford for Wilde (51), James for Gemine (53), Trevett for I Emmanuel (55), Davies for Franklin (61), L. Evans for Jenkins (61), James for Scott (69), E. Wood for Thomas (75), E. Evans for Roberts (75).
Ireland U20: Green; Molony, Fahy, Smyth, Mangan; Wisniewski, Logan; Bohan, Walker, McAllister; Ronan, Corrigan; Foy, Power, McCarthy (capt).
Replacements: Mullan for McAllister (HT), Kennelly for Ronan (55), Yarr for Walker (61), Moore for Bohan (61), Walsh for Power (61), Wood for Wisniewski (64), O’Leary Kareem for Smyth (64), Wooton for Logan (74).
Yellow card: Corrigan
Referee: Morgan White (Hong Kong)
