Irish history boys fight back for a first clean sweep
IRELAND were forced to come from behind twice before they could complete their first Six Nations U20 Grand Slam in Colwyn Bay.
Charlie Ryan’s side had already wrapped up the title with their home win over France the previous weekend, but they finished with a flourish as an 80th minute try from tight-head prop Tom Clarkson scored with the last move of the game to pick up a bonuspoint.
“From the first game against England we knew we could do it and we really backed ourselves. It’s absolutely brilliant,” said Ryan.
“It’s great for it to come to fruition after five games and we’ve really been tested over the tournament. We have stuck together and I’m really proud of the boys.
“This will give us confidence for the Junior World Cup in Argentina. We’ll back ourselves there like we always do.”
An 11th minute try from centre Aneurin Owen gave Wales the perfect start as he took an inside pass from wing Tommi Lewis in the Irish 22. Cai Evans added the conversion and then kicked a penalty from two metres inside the Irish half.
That made it 10-0 after 28 minutes but, after having two tries ruled out by the TMO for being inches short, the Irish finally broke their duck on the stroke of half-time. It all started when Wales prop Ben Warren lost the ball in the Irish 22 and a brilliant, high speed break out by Ulster wing Angus Kernohan took the visitors 50 metres up field.
The ball was recycled and good passing gave flanker Scott Penny the chance to put opposite wing Jonathan Wren over for a try that outside half Ben Healy converted to cut the gap to three points at the break.
Seven minutes after the re-start Irish hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin scored his firth try of the championships, after picking up from a maul that had ended and driving over from 10 metres, to finally edge Ireland ahead.
Healey converted to give the Grand Slam-seekers a four-point lead.
Wales hit back on the hour mark when replacement wing Ryan Conbeer weaved his magic from half-way as he waltzed into the Irish 22 and sent flanker Jac Morgan racing to score between the posts.
Evans added the simple conversion and Wales were back in front. The pressure was back on the Irish, but they showed their character and even overcame having a third try ruled out by the TMO, this time for a forward pass.
The Slam was was back on the agenda when replacement No.9 Colm Reilly scampered over from the 10-metre line after a surprising pick and go from a ruck and then tighthead Tom Clarkson touched down for a try over the top of a ruck with the last move of the match to seal of a tremendous campaign.
“We’re really disappointed and there were moments in the game we could have managed better. Even going into the last 12 minutes, when we were leading 1714, we let Ireland back in and gave them opportunities,” said Wales coach Gareth Williams.