Scrum builds platform for U-21 victory

Scotland U-21 5 Ireland U-21 13

Of less consolation is the fact that Scotland were inescapably poor. It was one of those games that one would prefer to forget.

Ireland struck with a converted try deep in injury time to give them an eight point advantage that probably flattered them. The consolation for poor attacking was that they were magnificently marshalled in defence.

Coach Michael Bradley was encouraged at the number of telling tackles Ireland produced for much of the second half. “I was disappointed with the way we attacked because Scotland were able to defend quite comfortably when we had a lot of possession and position in the first half.

“When we had to defend I thought we did it pretty well and we had a lot of tackling to do.”

Bradley had every reason to be happy with Ireland’s scrummaging. The powerful front row, with captain John Lyne a key figure, pummelled the Scottish opposition and drove them back in virtually every set piece.

Ireland continued to dominate even when Lyne retired with a shoulder injury midway through the second half to be replaced by Eugene McGovern.

The line out was less fruitful and the Scots managed to take possession from three of Ireland’s throw ins. It was from there that the home side, through David Callam and Alistair Hogg, launched their most telling assaults in the second half.

Powerful defence was, however, the order of the day and none did it better than John Muldoon and Stephen Keogh as Scotland attempted to crash their way through the middle. Out wider, Barry Murphy and Keith Matthews were also up for their defensive duties.

David McAllister kicked two early penalties for Ireland but they should have been 20 or more points in front.

They held out under mounting pressure until the fourth minute of injury time when Nikki Walker scampered in at the corner but Warnock was unable to convert.

Referee Bob Debney added considerable injury time giving Ireland the chance to make sure when winger Richard Lane skipped out of a tackle and made it in for a try that McAllister converted from the touchline.

SCOTLAND: A. Warnock, A. Turnbull, G. Morrison, T. Philip, N. Walker, P. Godman, C. Cusiter, A. Dickinson, F. Thompson, G. Cross, A. Strokeosch, M. Rennie, S. Swindall, A. Hogg, captain, D. Callam. Replacements: J. Malokoty for Dickinson, K. Brown for Swindall (both 60).

Temporary replacement, J. Rimmer for Morrison (12-18, for Warnock 68-76).

IRELAND: T. Bowe (Queens), R. Lane (UCC), B. Murphy (UL Bohemians), K. Matthews (UL Bohemians), D. Warwick (Newport), D. McAllister (Terenure), C. O’Loughlin (Buccaneers), J. Lyne (Lansdowne) captain, R. Best (Belfast Harlequins), J. Moran (UCD), D. Gannon (UCD), S. O’Connor (Cork Constitution), J. Muldoon (Galwegians), S. Keogh (UCC), N. Ronan (Lans).

Replacements. E. McGovern (Old Crescent) for Lyne (47,inj), F. O’Loughlin (Shannon) for O’Loughlin (55, inj), N. McComb (Dundee) for O’Connor (64).

Referee: B. Debney (England)