Title triumph for U20s

IRELAND’S Under 20 will travel to Wales next weekend with the Grand Slam in their sights after they pipped France to claim the U20 Six Nations championship for the second time at Musgrave Park last night. Leesider Josh Wycherley was the local hero as he put his name to a brace of tries in the slender two-point triumph which sealed a first title success since 2010. In front of a crowd of 8,000 spectators the hosts raced intoa 10-0 lead, with Ben Healy opening his account from a penalty. It got better when Wycherley bulldozed over for the game’s first try and Healy added the points. That prompted Les Bleus into life and they were well in control for the rest of the half, going on to lead 14-13 at the interval with Jean-Baptiste Gros going over for their first try before Louis Carbonel also touched down — the latter also adding conversions. Ireland started the second period impressively and a brace of Healy penalties eased them into a 19-17 advantage before Wycherley went over for his second try of the night. When Callum Reid claimed Ireland’s third try, it pushed Ireland’s lead out to 31-22 but it wasn’t quite time to celebrate as Maxence Lemardelet ran in another try for the visitors which Carbonel converted. However the hosts held out. IRELAND: J Flannery (R Russell 66); A Kernohan (Flannery 74), L Turner, S French, J Wren; B Healy, C Casey (C Foley 69); J Wycherley (C Reid 66), D TierneyMartin (J McKee), T Clarkson; C Ryan, N Murray, R Baird 52); M Moloney, S Penny, J Hodnett. Scorers – Tries: J Wycherley (2), Reid. Cons: B Healy (2). Pens: B Healy (4). FRANCE: A de Nardi; V Pinto, A Vincent, J Delbouis (M Smaili 69), M Lebel; L Carbonel, Q Delord; JB Gros (E Eglaine 55), R Barka (L Zarantonello 69), A Burin (G Beria 55); G Maravat, F Vanverberghe (A Warion 69); P Boudehent (M Lemardelet 46), S Zegueur, J Joseph. Scorers - Tries: JB Gros, L Carbonel (2), Viallard. Cons: L Carbonel (3). Pen: L Carbonel. Referee: A Leal (RFU).