Ireland U20 26 - 0 Scotland U20: ‘Worst performance so far’

SCOTLAND suffered their fourth successive defeat in the Six Nations under 20 championship after losing to a strong Ireland side at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night to torpedo the Scots’ hopes of building on a good performance against France two weeks ago. As a result Scotland now face a trip to Calvisano next Friday for a showdown with Italy to avoid a championship whitewash.

Ireland, at the opposite end of the table with four wins from four matches, snuffed out Scotland’s creativity with strong defence and in offensive play the Irish, under the direction of former Wales coach, Mike Ruddock, made their opponents pay for some weak tackling that allowed men in green to score three tries.

“This was our worst performance so far in the championship” admitted Scotland head coach, Peter Wright, adding : “We knew we had to get parity in the set-piece but on the night the line-out was a shambles. In the first half we won only one out of six.

“As a result we didn’t have the possession with which to attack and so spent most of the first half defending. Yet we were only 8-0 down at half time. But they dominated the collisions in the second half so again we didn’t get ball.

“We took a step back tonight and we have to take it on the chin and learn from our mistakes. But I believe we can regroup before taking on Italy next weekend,” stated Wright.

Scotland were soon in arrears when Ireland full back Shane Laydon, who plays for the local Buccaneers club at Dubarry Park, touched down for an unconverted try after only eight minutes. The Irish lead was then extended with a penalty goal from the talented Ulster stand-off, and a rising star of Ireland rugby, Paddy Jackson, but hopes of a reply were dashed when Scotland stand-off and skipper, Harry Leonard, missed his first strike at goal, leaving the Scots trailing 8-0 at the break.

Dungannon’s Jackson increased Ireland’s lead after the break with two penalty goals before adding the conversion goal to a try by the UCD and Leinster scrum half Luke McGrath.

Then as the heavy rain made playing conditions difficult Ireland’s victory was signed off by number 8 Jack Conan who forced his way over from a set scrum to claim his side’s third try for an emphatic win that sets up a grand slam title decider with England next Friday.

Scorers: Tries: Layden, McGrath, Conan; Cons: Jackson Pens Jackson (3).

Ireland U20s: S Layden; C Finn, C Farrell, JJ Hanrahan, F Horan; P Jackson, L McGrath; K McCall, J Rael, P Reilly, I Henderson, D Qualter, C Gilsenan, A Conneely, J Conan. Subs used: C O’Connell, D Merrey, J Cawley, T Beirne, J Coghlan, K Marmion, C Marsh, S Olding.

Scotland U20s: T Allan; J Farndale, M Bennett, F Russell, M Crawley; H Leonard, M Torrance; R Hislop, G Turner, A Allan, J Gray, A Redmayne, M Eadie, W Bordill, J Swanson Subs used R Anderson, G Robertson, A Sinclair, C Reid, J Bhattti, M McConnell, T Steven, R Fergusson.