Ireland beat Italy in U20s Six Nations thriller

Under-20s Six Nations: Ireland v Italy

Ireland (15) 30

Tries: Barrett, Ryan, Moloney, Neill Cons: Wood 2 Pens: Wood 2

Italy (17) 27

Tries: Rossi, Pelli, de Rossi Con: Braga 2 Pen: Braga

Ireland held off late Italy pressure to win a thrilling Under-20 Six Nations encounter in Cork.

The hosts, who were heavily beaten by France in their opener, made a superb start as Tom Wood slotted over a early penalty and Christopher Barrett crossed in the 12th minute, which Wood converted.

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However, Italy hit back through Lucca Rossi’s converted try, but Daniel Ryan scored with nine minutes left in the first half.

Valerio Pelli responded for Italy five minutes later in an end-to-end half, and the visitors held a 17-15 lead at the break when Francesco Braga landed a penalty with the final play of the half.

Ireland nudged back ahead five minutes after the restart through Derry Moloney, but Pelli touched down for the second time after Irish flanker Joe Finn was sent to the bin.

Despite being down to 14 players, Josh Neill barged over and Wood added the conversion, with the son of former Ireland captain Keith then landing his second penalty to extend Ireland’s advantage.

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Jacopo de Rossi set up a grandstand finish, and Italy had one last attack to snatch the game, but the Irish defence held firm to secure a first win in this year’s tournament.

Ireland U20: N Byrne; D Moloney; J O’Sullivan, J O’Leary; D Ryan; T Wood, C Barrett; M Doyle, L Fitzpatrick, S Bishti; D McNeice, D McGuire; J Neill, B Hayes, D O’Connell.

Replacements: R Handley, C Foley, B McClean, B Blaney, B Hayes, J O’Dwyer, C O’Shea, J O’Sullivan.

Italy U20: E Vitale, M Faissal; D Coluzzi, R Casarin; L Rossi; F Braga, A Teodosio; C Brasini, V Pelli, L Trevisan; S Fardin, E Opoku-Gyamfi; A Italo Miranda, CA Bianchi, D Sette.

Replacements: J De Rossi, G Messori, L Tosi, JN Wilson, M Spreafichi, N Varotto, T Del Sureto, A Scaramazza.