Wales U20's stun Ireland to defeat them for first time since 2018

The Wales defence was immense on the night holding out an Irish side that had the majority of the possession.

STUNNED: Wales have defeated Ireland for the first time since 2020. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

U20 Six Nations: Wales 20 Ireland 12

Wales shocked Ireland with a historic victory in front of a jubilant Rodney Parade on Friday evening. This is a first Welsh victory over Ireland at this level since 2018, while, after beating Italy last time out, it is also the first time back-to-back success for the hosts since 2020.

Ireland trailed by just two points at the break, something of a relief given their poor start in the Newport wet. Henry Walker and Eoghan Smyth crossed though Ireland did miss opportunities as Charlie Molony spilled before Éanna McCarthy was held up over the line.

After the break, Mikey Yarr taking his turn to being held up was as close as Ireland game to overturning the gap, Wales adding a pair of penalties to secure the result.

After 15 minutes, Ireland were 14-0 down. Wales had a dominant lineout maul, one which led to an early penalty try and yellow card for Billy Corrigan. Their defenders were dumping Irish runners on their backsides with a series of crowd-energising hits. To make matters worse, Ireland simply couldn’t hold onto the ball, such were the greasy conditions thanks to the pre-kick off rain.

Two Irish scores went a begging after that third minute penalty try. Charlie Molony spilled over the line after being fed by a lovely Sam Wisniewski pass. Éanna McCarthy was then held up over the line. He deserved better after his deft tip to Michael Foy led to the chance in the first place as the Munster backrow sped into the 22. Ireland’s six and eight were arguably their lone source of go-forward in that frustrating half.

The passing of the halfbacks suffered in the wet. Balls were frequently off the mark. No more so than when Clark Logan thought he was passing to Wisnieskwi. The 10 wanted nothing of it. Wales pounced for an opportunistic score, Steffan Emmanuel speeding off into the distance once the loose ball was hacked through.

Little creativity was forthcoming as Ireland looked to claw their way into proceedings. The forwards more often than not took matters into their own hands. Logan struggled to find a rhythm with his passing from the base. It took Welsh infringements to earn the territory for the first Irish score, a penalty into the corner seeing Henry Walker score off the back of a maul.

Wisniewski, after attacking struggles, pulled off a moment of magic when later cross-kicking to find Ciaran Mangan in stride inside the 22. He couldn’t finish, but Eoghan Smyth could phases later. After a disastrous opening 15 minutes, Neil Doak would have bitten your hand off for just a 14-12 deficit at the break.

Wales ensured no momentum shift carried into the second half, Harry Wilde striking first with a penalty to stretch the lead to five. They continued to build momentum. The Welsh scrum was dominant. A choke tackle and jackal penalty ended Irish attacks inside the 22. Handling errors never dissipated.

The introduction of Tom Wood at outhalf did have somewhat of an effect. His kick in behind led to a botched Wales lineout which saw Mikey Yarr held up over the line. He then put Paddy Moore through a gap and into the 22. Alas, Wood crossed wires with Molony to then end the attack.

Wales continued to frustrate. The scrum off the handling errors was dominant. Ireland did not lack for territory but they found no cutting edge. Harri Ford’s late penalty - off another strong Welsh scrum - sealed the result and denied Ireland a losing bonus point to boot.

WALES U20: J Woods; A Boshoff, O Roberts (E Evans 75), S Emmanuel, T Bowen; H Wilde (H Ford 51) , L Franklin (S Davies 61); I Emmanuel (L Trevett 55), H Thomas (E Wood 75), S Scott (O James 69); K Jenkins (L Evans 61), T Cottle; D Gemine (C James 53), H Beddall (c), E Minto.

IRELAND U20: D Green; C Molony, C Fahy, E Smyth (G O’Leary Kareem 64), C Mangan; S Wisniewski (T Wood 64), C Logan (W Wooton 74); B Bohan (P Moore 61), H Walker (M Yarr 61), T McAllister (A Mullan HT); M Ronan (Kennelly 55), B Corrigan; M Foy, B Power, (D Walsh 61) E McCarthy (c).

Referee: Morgan White (Hong Kong)