Irish get Ruddock era off to a flyer

NEW Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock got off to a winning start, as his new-look side saw off Italy in a friendly at Donnybrook yesterday.

A side that did not contain a single Munster player in the starting line-up got off to a flying start with a Sam Coghlan Murray try, before a powerful scrum provided the platform to send Luke Marshall over for a 24th minute try.

Then, a huge hit by McKeon on Cosulich shook the ball free. Marshall saw the opportunity to move it right for centre Alex Kelly to travel 80 metres for Ireland’s third try. Jackson missed his third straight conversion.