Ireland survive Italian U20 Six Nations scare in Cork

Ireland U20 secured their first win of the U20 Six Nations with a tense 30-27 victory over Italy at Virgin Media Park in Cork, hanging on in the closing stages of a breathless contest refereed by Luke Rogan.

In a back-and-forth encounter that swung repeatedly in momentum, Ireland’s dominance at scrum time was countered by Italy’s clinical rolling maul, with neither side able to build a decisive cushion.

Ireland struck first inside three minutes when Tom Wood opened the scoring with a penalty. The hosts were forced into an early reshuffle, Dylan McNeice departing inside five minutes before returning later in the half, but they quickly settled.

A slick passing move on 12 minutes ended with Christopher Barrett crossing, Wood converting.

Italy responded in kind. Riccardo Casarin sliced through the Irish line before the visitors struck through Luca Rossi on 20 minutes, with Francesco Braga adding the extras.

Fixture

U20 Six Nations

Ireland U20

30 - 27

Full-time

Italy U20

All Stats and Data

Ireland regained the initiative just past the half hour. Daniel Ryan finished a flowing move after earlier line breaks from Robert Carney and Noah Byrne had stretched the Italian defence. Wood was off target with the conversion and Italy capitalised before the interval. Hooker Valerio Pelli burrowed over from close range on 35 minutes, Braga converting before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to edge Italy in front 17-15 at the break.

The second half began at pace. Ireland reclaimed the lead on 45 minutes when Derry Moloney gathered a clever kick to score, though Wood again missed the conversion.

Italy replied almost immediately. Pelli powered over for his second after strong work from Alessandro Teodosio, but Braga pushed the conversion wide.

Down to 14 men following Joe Finn’s yellow card on 54 minutes, Andrew Browne’s side responded through their set-piece strength. Man of the Match Josh Neill finished from close range on 59 minutes after a sustained spell of pressure, Wood converting to give the hosts breathing room.

Wood extended the lead further with a penalty on 65 minutes after Italy’s Davide Sette was shown a yellow card for a daisy cutter tackle attempt.

Italy refused to relent. The visitors’ maul proved decisive again on 68 minutes as Jacopo De Rossi crashed over. Braga’s conversion drifted wide, leaving Ireland three points clear.

A raft of substitutions followed for both sides as the tempo remained high. Italy launched one final surge, Antony Italo Miranda bursting through in the closing stages, but Ireland’s defence held firm to see out the final minutes and secure their first win of the championship.