Ill-prepared Ireland outclassed by rampant Wales

Ireland under 19s 6 Wales under 19s 31

A rampant Welsh side dominated for much of the match and finally cut loose with a second-half scoring spree.

They struck for five tries against a hopelessly outclassed Irish outfit not given the same benefit of preparation.

The main talking point afterwards was how the Irish Rugby Football Union, more than the team itself, had come up short.

“What do you expect when these guys are thrown together for a few training sessions and expected to go out and perform,” said one clearly frustrated parent.

In contrast, the Welsh had been together on a regular basis since August as well as two recent games against England and Scotland. Ireland had the autumn game against Australia but little more as the build up to the under-19 World Cup in April continues.

The writing was on the wall early even if they did take a quick lead with an Ian Keatley penalty.

Keatley kicked a second penalty after 35 minutes, but the Welsh led with an Ashley Smith try that Rhys Jones converted.

That try was the only reward for Wales in that first period, but they could have had the game wrapped up had they taken more of a number of opportunities they created.

Keatley and Michael Skelton stood out amongst the Irish backs, but Wales, through Jones, centres Gareth Maule and Smith as well as full-back Martyn Thomas created constant problems for the Irish. It helped that Wales also dominated the forward battle with a good line-out and very strong scrum.

Having done so well playing into a strong wind, Wales did so much better in the second half. It did take them 15 minutes to take full advantage territorial gain, but when Alec Jenkins went in for another try, the visitors prospered.

Maule got the third and Jones converted for a 19-6 lead and Thomas stretched that with the fourth try. Despite having made several changes, Wales continued to dominate and substitutes Matthew Larsen (try) and Rhys Priestland (conversion) combined to push their side further into the comfort zone.

IRELAND: M. Skelton (UL Bohemians), S. Morrow (Ballynahinch), K. Tonnetti (St. Gerards), I. Whitten (Queens), M. Barker (Queens), I. Keatley (UCD), S. Cranley (Greystones), R. Sweeney (UCD), A. O’Driscoll (PBC Cork), R. Burke-Flynn (Blackrock), A. Browne (Galwegians), C. McInerney (UCD) captain; T. Anderson (Queens), K. Sheahan (UCD), D. Pollock (Queens).

Replacements. N. Simpson (Instonians) for Burke-Flynn, S. O’Sullivan (CBC Cork) for Sheahan (both 63), J. Gethings (Gonzaga) for Sweeney (66), N. O’Connor (Limavaddy) for Whitten, D. Drake (Instonians) for Cranley (both 68).

WALES: M. Thomas (Llanelli), A. Jenkins (Llanelli), G. Maule (Gwent Dragons), A. Smith (Gwent Dragons), J. Lewis (Gwent Dragons), R. Jones (Exiles), R. Lewis (Gwent Dragons), N. Eaves (Cardiff Blues), M. Breeze (Ospreys), J. Crosi (Gwent Dragons), B. Davis (Cardiff Blues) captain; L. Reed (Llanelli), J. Turnbull (Llanelli), D. Franks (Cardiff Blues), L. Evans (Gwent Dragons).

Replacements. K. Owens (Llanelli) for Breeze, H. Gustafson (Llanelli) for Evans (both 57), D. Allinson (Llanelli) for Lewis (60), M. Larsen (Cardiff Blues) for Turnbull (65), R. Priestland (Llanelli) for Jones (68), K. Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) for Crosi, J. Davies (Llanelli) for Smith (both 71).

Referee: K. Patton (England).