U21s give Ireland taste of victory

Ireland U21 30 Wales U21 19

Former international centre Mark McCall continued his successful start as Ireland U21 coach as his side handed Grand Slam holders Wales their first defeat in the Six Nations U21 championship for over two years at the Sportsground in Galway.

Wales' first Six Nations defeat since February 2002's 30-22 loss to France in Ebbw Vale was founded on a great first half performance from the hosts.

Four tries, including three in the first half with the wind at their backs, saw the men in green establish a 15-3 lead by the 25th minute. Dublin University number eight Jamie Heaslip got over in the left corner for the ideal start for the home side after nine minutes.

Out-half Gareth Steenson missed with the conversion attempt but added the extras to skipper David Gannon’s try midway through the half, after a good driving maul saw the Blackrock man edge over for his second try in consecutive games.

The giant second row was yellow-carded in last season’s 20-19 loss to Wales, but his excellent lineout skills paved the way for his club colleague John Hearty to touch down just past the half hour mark, with Steenson converting.

The only Welsh replies came from the boot of centre Lee Thomas, as he picked off three penalties, the last two minutes before the break.

After the restart, the visitors predictably ate into the 22-9 Irish lead, restricting the home side to just two scores – a brace of penalties from Queen’s kicker Steenson.

Replacement wing Richard Rees came on to good effect, scoring on 57 minutes and four minutes from the whistle to inspire the Dragons’ hopes, but the Swansea flyer’s scores went unconverted as Thomas went wide with both kicks.

The Irish confirmed the win with a second championship try for left wing Tommy Bowe.

Ireland: A Finn; R Lane, J Hearty, G Telford, T Bowe; G Steenson, T O’Leary; J Wickham, D Fogarty, D Fiztpatrick, D Gannon (Capt), S O’Connor, B O’Connor, O Hennessy, J Heaslip.

Replacements: C Geoghegan, S Bennett, N McComb, D O’Brien, R Shaw, M Glancy, B O’Donnell.

Wales: M Nuthall; Ifan Evans, R Payne, L Thomas, F Brillante; S Macleod, R Wells; J Yapp, H Bennett, C Griffiths, Ian Evans, L Charteris, J Merriman, R Pugh (Capt), R Dale.

Replacements: D Maddocks, K Crawford, N Williams, J Mills, M Jones, R Rees, G Evans.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Jamie Heaslip, David Gannon, John Hearty, Tommy Bowe; Cons: Gareth Steenson 2; Pens: Gareth Steenson 2

Wales: Tries: Richard Reece 2; Pens: L Thomas 3

Referee: Steve Davey (England).