Ireland Under-20 44 - 15 Scotland Under-20: Champions-elect too strong for U20s

Published on Friday 19 March 2010 23:42

IRELAND Under-20s put one hand on the Junior Six Nations trophy with an accomplished performance against Scotland, running in five tries for a 44-15 triumph at Dubarry Park in Athlone.

Sitting proudly at the top of the table on eight points, with a plus 85 points differential, the young Irish look certain to be crowned champions. The only way they can be denied the title would be if second-placed England scored an unlikely 47-point win away to France on Sunday. In the sixth minute, James McKinney landed his first penalty but Scotland responded strongly with stand-off Alex Blair firing over two penalties in quick succession to give the visitors a tenth-minute lead.

The well-drilled Irish side made the breakthrough on 16 minutes. Great hands from McKinney saw the No 10 send the supporting Nevin Spence past two tacklers and over close to the posts. Scotland then conceded a penalty which McKinney knocked over for 13-6 and he added another from 35 metres out as the powerful Irish scrum forced a turnover and a penalty.

The pressure was beginning to tell on the Scots and they leaked a second try in the 31st minute, with John Cooney passing for Spence to skip past two tacklers and glide over on the left.

McKinney's successful conversion was cancelled out by a third penalty from Blair, but Ireland finished the first half in full command, leading 30-9.

The second period continued in similar vein with another two Blair penalties Scotland's only consolation as they were thoroughly outclassed by their rampant hosts.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: N Spence 2, A Conway 2, T O'Halloran; Cons: J McKinney 5; Pens: J McKinney 3. Scotland: Pens: A Blair 5

Ireland U20: A Conway; T O'Halloran , E Griffin, N Spence, S Zebo; J McKinney, J Cooney; J O'Connell, N Annett, S Maguire, D O'Callaghan, B Marshall, R Ruddock (capt), D Ryan, P Butler. Replacements: R Byrne, B Cagney, B Hayes, R O'Sullivan, M Heaney, G Quinn McDonogh, B Macken.

Scotland U20: T Brown ; O Grove, J Johnstone, A Dunbar, D Fife; A Blair, A Black; N Little, A Walker, C Phillips, M Reid, R Harley, M Maltman, D Denton, S McInally (capt) Replacements: L Gibson, G Hunter, A Hall, C Stidston-Nott, K Hamilton, M Scott, D Weir.

Referee: M Raynal (Fra)