Ireland U-20 Women Earn First Win With Four-Try Second Half Salvo

The Ireland Under-20 Women (sponsored by PwC) made history with their first win at this level, breaking clear of Scotland in the second half to triumph 37-7 in sweltering Parma.

2024 SIX NATIONS WOMEN’S SUMMER SERIES:

Sunday, July 14 –

IRELAND UNDER-20s 37 SCOTLAND UNDER-20s 7, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Sophie Barrett, Éadaoin Murtagh, Beth Buttimer 2, Hannah Wilson; Cons: Kate Flannery 2, Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton; Pens: Kate Flannery 2
Scotland: Try: Lucia Scott; Con: Lucy MacRae
HT: Ireland 13 Scotland 7

Ireland’s youngest members of the front row union claimed four of the five tries, as Niamh Briggs’ side signed off at the inaugural Six Nations Women’s Summer Series with the result that they craved.

Prop Sophie Barrett barged over in the sixth minute, and two Kate Flannery penalties had Ireland 13 points clear before Scotland’s Lucia Scott crossed on the stroke of half-time.

Despite injuries for Faith Oviawe and Kelly Burke, the scorer of a late brace against Italy, there was no stopping Ireland – and the pack led superbly by captain Jane Neill – as they racked up four unanswered tries in a 21-minute spell.

Replacement Éadaoin Murtagh grabbed the first one from a lineout maul, player-of-the-match Beth Buttimer burrowed over twice in quick succession, and Hannah Wilson came off the bench to have the final say, set up by impressive 18-year-old hooker Buttimer.

This new development competition offers vital international experience for both players and coaches alike, and the route now looks clearer for Ireland’s best talent to build through the age-grades and press for senior selection.

All 28 players got game-time across the three rounds and a chance to benchmark themselves against international opposition.

The tournament allowed three Under-23 players per matchday squad, so Ireland were able to field the likes of Oviawe, Ruth Campbell, and Ivana Kiripati.

Skipper Neill laid down an early physical marker with a thumping tackle on Merryn Gunderson, and while Ireland’s first lineout opportunity was spoiled by Holland Bogan, they were soon on the scoreboard.

The forwards carried with plenty of intent, off a second lineout inside the Scottish 22, and Barrett linked well with Aoibheann Hahessy. From a close-in ruck, the Enniskillen RFC product managed to crash over for Flannery to convert.

Ireland came hunting again via a well-won Ellen Boylan turnover, as Oviawe opened up a sliver of space out wide but her offload was just knocked on by Clara Barrett near the left touchline.

Scotland gave a glimpse of how dangerous they can be when prop Eilidh Fleming charged up towards the Irish 22. Aila Ronald had to be hauled down a few metres short, following a snappy break and pass from Ceitidh Ainsworth.

Buttimer dug Ireland out of a sudden hole with her breakdown work, but the subsequent loss of Oviawe with a shoulder knock was a blow. Campbell was revelling in the physical exchanges, twice forcing turnovers through her defending.

Once back on the front foot, the UL Bohemian connection almost delivered a second Irish try. Powerful lock Hahessy rumbled up close before winger Barrett, stepping inside Sky Phimister’s challenge, had her well-taken score ruled out for a forward pass from Flannery.

The Tipperary native did nail a 19th-minute penalty to extend the lead to 10 points, with busy prop Grainne Burke having been held up just before that.

Inspired by replacement Hannah Ramsay’s immediate impact with ball in hand, Scotland went close through Gemma Bell who was denied by Neill’s clever work right on the Irish try-line.

Tighthead Barrett was tenacious in ripping back possession on two occasions, and Neill was prominent during a bout of forward carries. They pushed Scotland right back into their own 22, only for replacement hooker Burke to misfire with her lineout throw.

Flannery kept the scoreboard ticking over with another well-struck penalty, nonetheless, and Éabha Nic Dhonnacha maintained the flow of attacks towards Scotland’s 22 with a jinking break to link with Clara Barrett on the left wing.

Ireland had another near miss with Hahessy held up from close range, before Scotland opened their account just before the interval. With nnice handling from their backs, centre Scott stepped inside the cover to score on the right.

Sophie Barrett was inches away from replying for Ireland, four minutes after the break. Flannery pinned the Scots back with a fine touchfinder, and a Boylan burst, coupled with a close-in penalty, led to Murtagh scoring from a well-executed 50th-minute drive.

Chisom Ugwueru was soon picked out by her UL Bohs club-mate, Flannery, for a pacy run down the left touchline. With the Irish forwards then gaining further ground with their carries, Buttimer piled over the whitewash with support from fellow front rower Barrett.

After Flannery’s conversion for a 25-7 advantage, Ireland remained in control with Buttimer forcing a turnover penalty. Scotland kept the maul at bay, but the green jerseys swarmed through again from a five-metre tap, and Buttimer got the grounding two phases later.

Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair and Buttimer made sure they were first to loose balls, as Scotland struggled to hold onto possession. Briggs’ youngsters were playing with more width now, and Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton made a defence-slashing break from a Scottish drop-out.

Scotland replacement Lucy Christie saw yellow for killing the ball, and Wilson quickly took advantage. Fed by Buttimer, she twisted and turned out of two tackles to touch down beside the posts. O’Sullivan Sexton’s right boot widened the margin to 30 points.

The Scots kept pressing for openings late on, but Ireland, aided by their strong bench, maintained a high intensity. Brianna Heylmann and Boylan produced big tackles, and a final break by Nic Dhonnacha ended with Hannah Clarke being tackled into touch.

TIME LINE: 6 minutes – Ireland try: Sophie Barrett – 5-0; conversion: Kate Flannery – 7-0; 19 mins – Ireland penalty: Kate Flannery – 10-0; 29 mins – Ireland penalty: Kate Flannery – 13-0; 40 mins – Scotland try: Lucia Scott – 13-5; conversion: Lucy MacRae – 13-7; Half-time – Ireland 13 Scotland 7; 50 mins – Ireland try: Éadaoin Murtagh – 18-7; conversion: missed by Kate Flannery – 18-7; 57 mins – Ireland try: Beth Buttimer – 23-7; conversion: Kate Flannery – 25-7; 62 mins – Ireland try: Beth Buttimer – 30-7; conversion: missed by Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton – 30-7; 71 mins – Scotland yellow card: Lucy Christie; 71 mins – Ireland try: Hannah Wilson – 35-7; conversion: Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton – 37-7; Full-time – Ireland 37 Scotland 7

IRELAND U-20: Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster); Hannah Clarke (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht), Ellen Boylan (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht), Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht); Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), May Goulding (Saracens/Old Albanian Saints/IQ Rugby); Grainne Burke (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC/Ulster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Aoibheann Hahessy (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Jane Neill (Galwegians RFC/Leinster) (capt).

Replacements used: Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) for Oviawe (15 mins), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Buttimer, Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for G Burke (both 23), Buttimer for K Burke (32), Éadaoin Murtagh (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Hahessy, Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Goulding, Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for C Barrett (all 45), Lily Morris (Killarney RFC/Munster) for Wilson (47), Wilson for S Barrett, Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Flannery (both 59), Hahessy for Murtagh (72), Murtagh for Heylmann (77).

SCOTLAND U-20: Izzy McGuire-Evans (Sale Sharks/Glasgow Warriors); Sky Phimister (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury), Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors), Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt); Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby); Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt), Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Holland Bogan (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby), Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby), Megan Hyland (Garioch/Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements used: Hannah Ramsay (Unattached/Edinburgh Rugby) for Ainsworth (19 mins), Samanther Tagnanekurukuru (Stirling County/Edinburgh Rugby) for Hyland, Lauryn Walter (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders) for Gunderson (both 32), Chloe Brown (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) for Fletcher (44), Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors) for Brebner-Holden (55), Karis Craig (Watsonian FC/Glasgow Warriors) for Roland (59), Lucy Christie (Newcastle University) for Logan, Brebner-Holden for McGuire-Evans (both 63), Poppy Clarkson (Biggar) for Brown (64), Gunderson for Bogan (65), Hyland for Bell (67), Fletcher for Fleming (72-77).

Referee: Beatrice Smussi (Italy)