Ireland’s imperious Scotland win not enough as English pip France
The Ireland U-20s’ bid to win the Six Nations title for the third year running came up agonisingly short after a dramatic final night.
Ireland held up their side of the bargain by seeing off Scotland with a bonus point, but France were unable to do them a huge favour by beating England.
Given that the game in France kicked off an hour later, Ireland were left sweating, but the nervous wait ultimately ended in heartbreak, as England pipped them as champions.
AgutsyvictoryoverScotlandatasoldout Musgrave Park ensured Ireland finished on 22 points, a total that England overturned by the narrowest of margins following a thrilling 45-31 win in Pau.
‘Trouble (with a capital T)’ by the Horslips felt like an ominous song choice just before kick-off, but Ireland fought their way out the trouble that Scotland caused, even if they were far from their fluid best.
Young
This team has been so impressive throughout the Six Nations that it’s easy to forget how young they are, and nerves certainly played a part as the players looked to get to grips with the pressures of the prize at stake.
Murphy’s side will have learned a huge amount about managing the occasion, and that they did so by winning is a testament to the character of the squad.
A first-half score from Hugo McLaughlin was followed by two from Danny Sheahan, while Evan O’Connell and Seán Edogbo made it five tries in total.
O’Connell led from the front with another towering display, with his lineout nous and relentless work ethic ensuring his side got the job done.
Hugh Gavin’s strong running from midfield has been crucial to Ireland getting over the gain-line all tournament, and the impressive Connacht centre’s ballast was once again key until he followed team-mates Luke Murphy and Jacob Boyd in limping off within 16 minutes of the restart.
Scotland came into this clash having lost all four games, and while their wretched run wasn’t about to change, their resolute defence frustrated Ireland, while their scrum caused problems.
They almost got off to the dream start from a pre-planned lineout move, but Scotland managed to frustrate their hosts by forcing a turnover, which would become a theme of the first half.
FinnTreacythenwentcloseaftershowing a great turn of pace, but Ireland were unable to apply the finishing touch until the 20th minute.
It came from a Scottish error, with Ireland
ruthlessly punishing it, as Edogbo made a powerful carry before the ball was worked wide via a nice pull-back pass from captain O’Connell, with Ward’s nice offload putting McLaughlin over in the corner. Jack Murphy brilliantly curled the ball between the sticks with the touchline conversion for a 7-0 lead that his side had to settle for at half-time.
Rather than grow in confidence from opening the scoring, it was Scotland’s tails that were up as the visitors piled on the pressure at scrum time, winning three penalties in six minutes.
Despite finishing the opening half on the front foot, a sixth penalty concession
U20 SIX NATIONS
36 0
France v England (8.00), Ireland v Scotland (4.45), Wales v Italy (2.15).
meant they were unable to extend their advantage at the break.
Just as they did from the off, Ireland came flying out of the traps after the restart, but they still lacked that clinical edge before No 8 Murphy and tighthead Boyd were forced off injured.
Patreece Bell made an immediate impact by helping win a scrum penalty, which allowed Murphy to kick Ireland 10-0 in front before they lost their primary ball-carrier Gavin.
Losing such a key player could have knocked Ireland off their stride, but this team is nothing if not resilient, as O’Connell played a captain’s role by finishing off a bright spell of pressure.
Ireland’s task was helped on 65 minutes when Monroe Job was yellow-carded and the numerical advantage soon told, as Sheahan got over following a powerful rolling maul. Murphy added the extras for a 22-0, and with eight minutes still left on the clock, Ireland pushed for the crucial bonus point try.
It arrived courtesy of local boy Edogbo after the pack won another scrum penalty against the head, and Sheahan added a fifth try for good measure in the closing stages, with Murphy’s two conversions adding to Ireland’s points difference, as they awaited the final score from France.