Ireland U20 held off the plucky Italians 30-27 in a tight 6 Nations match at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday evening.
There were plenty of tries in both halves – while both teams won tries with bonus points, a game that was in the balance for most of the evening saw the home side take the lead by three points in the end.
Ireland scores first
Ireland took an early lead through a relatively easy penalty for Garryowen’s Tom Wood. The Munster player comfortably slotted straight past the post to take a 3-0 lead.
3-0
Ireland midfielder Tom Wood wins the opening score as the hosts take an early lead
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Barrett scores Ireland’s first try
Winger Derry Moloney opened up the Italian defense by bursting through the visitors’ side. Starting in his own half, the Leinster speedster was supported by Noah Byrne then by Christopher Barrett.
As Moloney transferred to Byrne, Barrett then took possession of the ball and was tasked with landing for the opening try of the match. A second successful kick of the night from Tom Wood – this time a conversion – propelled Ireland to a 13-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes played on the clock.
10-0
Scrumhalf Christopher Barrett with the opening try of the match
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Irish defense broken through
Despite some moments of bad passing and poor handling, the Italians were next on the scoresheet. Winger Luca Rossa was the target of an Azzurri move as the Irish defense was breached for the first time this evening. Francesco Braga added the extras for the visitors, leaving Ireland with a 10-7 lead heading into the end of the first quarter.
Winger Ryan is on the scoresheet
The hosts launched a charge on the Italian line following a powerful braking from center Rob Carney. As Ireland hit the defensive line, winger Daniel Ryan eventually landed in the far corner of the main stand.
15-7
Daniel Ryan with Ireland’s second try as Italy defense can’t hold on
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With a more difficult conversion attempt – right on the touchline – Wood was unsuccessful this time, meaning Ireland had a 15-7 lead.
A converted try and a penalty give the Italians the advantage at half-time
Italy immediately hit back with an easy try which saw hooker Valerio Pelli crash over to score five points. A favorable position allowed Braga to produce a relatively easy effort – which they converted, with the Irish lead reduced to just one point.
15-14
Once again Italy responded well to a setback, hooker Valerio Pelli getting the better of a dominant rolling maul.
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At halftime, Italy won a penalty which Brage scored to give the Italian team an unexpected 17–15 lead at the break.
Half time:
15-17
Italy take the lead with the final act of the half, Francesca Braga maintains her 100% record off the tee in Cork this evening
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Half-time: Ireland U20 15 Italy U20 17
The home team won the first score of the second half. Excellent teamwork and understanding between center Rob Carney and Derry Moloney allowed the winger to score.
With Carney in possession as he advanced quickly from his own half into the opposition’s, the Cashel RFC man kept the Italian defense guessing whether he would go to the line himself or pass out to Moloney. In the end he did neither as a well-placed grubber kick was successfully chased down by Moloney who scored in the corner to the delight of the home fans.
Tom Wood missed his effort – his second missed kick of the evening.
20-17
A huge hit from Tom Wood upset Italy before Derry Moloney showed blistering pace to put Ireland back in front.
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Pelli’s second try
As the Italians enjoyed a period of dominance on the pitch, Valerio Pelli scored his second try of the evening. With Italy making many efforts to cross the try line, the Mogliano Veneto Rugby player’s muscle and strength were needed to accomplish the task. Kicker Braga missed the posts for the first time, as the Italians held a slim 22-20 advantage.
20-22
Once again the Italians showed their strength with the rolling maul, hooker Valerio Pelli with his second try of the evening. Visitors returning to the front
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Bonus points try for Josh Neil
Ireland quickly responded by picking up the tempo noticeably. With the Azzurri defense penalized near their own line, Ireland reacted quickly and three quick moves allowed Leinster’s Josh Neil to score the bonus point try.
27-22
Josh Neill scores bonus point for Ireland by bursting over from close range
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Wood kicked – just in front of the posts – to take a 27-22 lead, but the Munster number 10 quickly extended that advantage, as a successful penalty – which saw Italy’s Davide Sette sin – gave Ireland some breathing room on the scoreboard, 30-22, with the game in the final quarter.
30-22 Italy’s Davide Sette is sent to the dustbin and Tom Wood converts the resulting penalty.
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Substitute Jacopo de Rossi gave the Italians hope of victory in this match when his teammates’ powerful maul allowed him to land for a try, his team’s five bonus points. Braga, who had had so much success with their kicking in the first half, missed their second of this half, as Ireland went into the final 10 minutes with a slim three-point advantage.
Final score: Ireland U20 30 Italy U20 27
Ireland U20 team
15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster), 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC). RFC/Munster).
1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster) (captain), 4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), 7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).
Substitutes:
16. Rían Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster), 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), 19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), 21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (University Dublin FC/Leinster).
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