Scotland35 Ireland20
IRELAND’S UNDER-20 championship grand slam hopes were in tatters last night after Scotland produced their performance of the season in the penultimate round at McDiarmid Park in Perth last night.
Scotland had shown their potential with an opening win against Wales in the championship and last night built on that performance to cut Ireland to pieces, winning the forward battle, looking more accomplished in attack and tackling as though their very existence depended on scything down their opponents.
This was a disappointing display by Ireland who were unexpectedly outplayed by the Scotland forwards and who were unable to use the possession they did win in any meaningful way.
Ireland were caught out frequently by the close-range sniping of Scotland scrumhalf Henry Pyrgos, named man of the match, and by the Scots’ clever use of the inside pass. Scotland also looked better in support play and were sharper when the scoring opportunity presented itself.
For Ireland, Ian Madigan looked useful at outhalf, but there were few others to stand out. Rhys Ruddock at blindside flanker was the pick of the pack, and the backrow helped Ireland score the second of their two tries.
Ireland may have been upset by too many changes early in the second half. It cost them one try, but arguably the raft of subs did little to improve matters on the field.
A penalty apiece by Robbie McGowan and Ian McKinlay left the teams locked together at the end of the first quarter. But Scotland, who had a Robbie Johnston try chalked off for a forward pass, turned possession and territory into points with a fine try to break the stalemate.
Number eight Stuart McInally launched a handling move that ended with Pyrgos darting over after McGowan had been tackled on the line.
The Scots grabbed a second try after the ball had been put through numerous pairs of hands, before inspirational skipper Richie Gray supplied the scoring pass to flanker Struan Dewar. McGowan converted from the touchline to give the Scots a 15-3 half-time advantage.
A penalty by McKinlay briefly gave Ireland hope before Scotland added to their agony with a try by Chris Fusaro from a fumble on the line, and a further score from McInally from ruck ball, both scores converted by McGowan.
A try by replacement prop Adam Macklin and the conversion by Madigan narrowed the Scots lead, and then a second Irish score from Dave Kearney, converted by Madigan on either side of a penalty goal by McGowan, brought the scoreline to 32-20.
Scotland survived a scrum on their line before running down the clock with controlled forward play and trenchant defence, sealing the win with a McGowan penalty.
SCOTLAND U20: R McGowan; P Loudon, A McCulloch, R Johnston, G Anderson; A White, H Pyrgos; G Cameron, F Gilles, D Morton, N Campbell, R Gray (capt), S Dewar, C Fusaro, S McInally. Replacements used: R McConnell, D Orr, J Taylor, T Drennan, P Jericevich, P Horne, A McKenzie.
IRELAND U20: D Kearney (Lansdowne); R O’Mahony (Garryowen), I McKinley (UCD), E Sheridan (Lansdowne), M Keating (Clontarf); I Madigan (Blackrock), M Healy (Lansdowne); P McAllister (Ballynahinch), T Sexton (Old Belvedere), J McGrath (St Mary’s), C Ruddock (Neath), J Sandford (Queen’s Univ), R Ruddock (Millfield), D Ryan (Lansdowne), P O’Mahony (Cork Constitution, capt). Replacements used: D McGregor (Ballynahinch), A Macklin (Belfast Harlequins), M Flanagan (UCD), M Noone (Seapoint), C Murray (Garryowen), A Burke (Garryowen), S Gahan (Lansdowne).
Referee: Andrew Small (England).
