Ireland U20 kicked off their 2021 Six Nations campaign with a bonus point win against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday morning.

Ireland inched ahead in the first half following an Alex Soroka try and a penalty try but a red card for Scotland’s Harri Morris on resumption opened the flood gates and Sam Illo, Alex Kendellen, Shane Jennings and Jamie Osbourne all crossed in a resounding win.

Ireland started the game strongly, putting Scotland under immediate pressure. A series of pick and drives in the Scottish red zone ended with Soroka finding the line and James Humphreys added the extras to give Ireland a 0 – 7 lead after 5 minutes.

Scotland began to work their way into the game and probably had the best of the rest of the half. At the end of the first quarter a well judged grubber kick from Cameron Scott was expertly gathered by Elliot Gourley who slid over for a Scotland try. Scott added the conversion to tie the game.

Ireland seemed content to rely on their defence in a scrappy second quarter which saw Humphreys replaced by Tim Corkery, for a head injury, on the 29th minute.

However it was the head of Osbourne that turned the game Ireland’s way, a wayward pass ricocheting off his head and some nifty footwork to set up chaos in the Scottish in goal area. In the ensuing scramble Scotland’s Michael Gray was judged to have prevented Oisin McCormack from scoring and a yellow card and penalty try were awarded to give Ireland a 7 – 14 lead.

Despite this, Scotland finished the half strongly and can count themselves unlucky to go into the break trailing by a score.

Scotland’s woes continued on resumption with a rash challenge by Morris, on Osborne in the air, saw the Scottish No 8 red carded. An unfortunate incident for the youngster but Ireland took full advantage with an unconverted try from Illo with the Scots down to 13 men.

Despite a few misfires, Ireland got their bonus point try from Kendellen towards the end of the third quarter to push the score along to 7 – 24 and with Scotland starting to wilt Ireland added two more through Jennings and Osbourne, both converted by Corkery to push the score along to 7 – 38 at the final whistle.

Teams

SCOTLAND: Ollie Melville, Finlay Callaghan, Scott King, Elliot Groulay, Michael Gray, Cameron Scott, Murray Redpath, Cole Lamberton, Patrick Harrison, Olly Frostick, Max Williamson, Alex Samuel, Archie Smeaton, Ben Muncaster, Harri Morris. Replacements: Jamie Drummond, Michael Jones, George Breese, Euan Ferrie, Rory Jackson, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Rhys Tait, Ethan McVicker, Christian Townsend, Thomas Glendinning, Ross McKnight.

IRELAND: Jamie Osborne, Ben Moxham, Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde, Josh O’Connor, James Humphreys, Conor McKee, Temi Lasisi, Ronan Loughnane, Sam Illo, Mark Morrissey, Harry Sheridan, Alex Soroka, Oisín McCormack, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jack Boyle, Mark Donnelly, Jack Kelleher, Reuban Crothers, Will Reilly, Tim Corkery, Chris Cosgrave, Donnacha Byrne, Ben Carson, Daniel Okeke.

Ulster Contingent

A win is a win, but it was an understandably scrappy performance from Ireland U20’s. Connacht’s Cathal Forde and Munster’s Kendellen, who led from the front as captain, were the pick of the bunch with the duo the top two for meters made and tackles made.

Ulsters Conor McKee and Humphreys looked fine at the start put it was a period that saw a lot of kicking as both sides looked to test each other out. Humphreys early withdrawal was a major disappointment and it’s a pity we didn’t get to see this partnership develop.

Ireland generally kicked to much and coupled with a huge handling/passing error count the wingers didn’t get to see the ball much with Ulster’s Ben Moxham severely underused, only getting five carries.

Harry Sheridan made the largest contribution, working hard in second row, and Reuben Crothers was typically enthusiastic when he got a half hour stint at the end. Unfortunately, Ben Carson didn’t get called upon.