Improved second-half display helps Ireland U-20s overcome Scotland

Scotland 17 (Tries: Carmichael, Ritchie (pen). Con: Chalmers)

Ireland 30 (Tries: Busby, Goggin, Timmins, Dardis. Cons: McKeon, Byrne. Pens McKeon, Ringrose)


Ireland gave themselves a confidence boost by winning their Junior World Championship warm-up match against Scotland on the back pitch at Murrayfield with a strong second -half display that ultimately yielded victory.

Pleasing for Ireland was their ability to produce effective attacking rugby behind the scrum despite facing a Scotland pack which for much of the match was winning the grunt and shunt contest.

"Both teams will be pretty pleased with the game today. We were better in the second half but we'll look carefully about how the scrums went and how the lineouts went. We have to identify the areas in which we need to do more work" said Ireland U-20 coach, Mike Ruddock.

Turnover ball
Number eight and captain Jack O'Donaghue and centre Garry Ringrose were particularly impressive but Ireland will be pleased with their ability to harness turnover ball and to attack with pace and shape.

Ireland were the quicker out of the traps scoring within a minute of the kick-off after securing possession and moving the ball wide with precision to create a try on the overlap for full back David Busby.

The visitors' other first-half points came from a penalty goal by Ringrose but Scotland, with a touchdown from lock Lewis Carmichael and a penalty try converted by Ben Chalmers led 12-8 at the break.

The Scots managed a further score by number eight James Ritchie but Ireland dominated the scoring with tries by replacement Billy Dardis, centre Dan Goggin and replacement Peader Timmins, a conversion by outside half Ross Byrne and his replacement Conor McKeon who also kicked a penalty goal.

SCOTLAND: R Young; J Farndale, C Dean, N Herron, D Hoyland; B Chalmers, B Vellacot; J Cosgrove, S James, D Rae, A Cramond, L Carmichael, N Irvine-Hess, T Spinks (capt), J Ritchie: Replacements: J Malcolm , C Fenton, Z Fagerson, G Young, S MacDonald, A Glashan, G Lowe, B Hutchison, R Hutchison, S Pecqueur, G Parker
IRELAND: D Busby; C Kelleher, G Ringrose, D Goggin, A Wootton ; R Byrne, R Foley, D Coulson, M Abbott, C Trenier , D Moloney, R Molony, F Taggart, D Dee, J O'Donaghue. Replacements: S Gardiner , P Timmins , D Henry, C McKeon , P Robb, R Moloney , J Murphy, C Gaffney, B Dardis, C Rudkin (Hawick)