Under-20s Lose Their Unbeaten Record To Scotland

Ireland’s hopes of achieving an RBS Under-20 6 Nations Grand Slam were blown out of the water at McDiarmid Park in Perth by a Scotland side that played inspired rugby to show that their recent win over Wales had been genuine.

RBS UNDER-20 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, March 13

SCOTLAND UNDER-20s 35 IRELAND UNDER-20s 20, McDiarmid Park, Perth

Scorers: Scotland U-20s: Tries: Henry Pyrgos, Struan Dewar, Stuart McInally, Chris Fusaro; Cons: Robbie McGowan 3; Pens: Robbie McGowan 3

Ireland U-20s: Tries: Adam Macklin, David Kearney; Cons: Ian Madigan 2; Pens: Ian McKinley 2

Just why Ireland failed to spark was baffling. Their record in their previous three matches suggested that Allen Clarke’s youngsters were more than capable of beating Scotland but somehow it all came unstuck for them in Perth.

Scotland manager John Jeffrey admitted after the game that their analysis of Ireland had exposed a few weaknesses. He said: “We exploited their defence around the fringes with close range sniping.”

Coached by Eamon John, Scotland were hugely effective in attack where their half-backs had particularly strong games. Moreover, Scotland were quick into the tackle giving Ireland’s powerhouse centre Eamonn Sheridan little room to move.

Overall, this was a disappointing display by Ireland who were unexpectedly outplayed by the Scotland forwards. They were unable to use the possession they did win in any meaningful way against a Scottish defence that refused to yield.

For Ireland, Ian Madigan, their late match-winner against England, looked useful again at out-half but there were few others to stand out on a night when little went right for them.

Rhys Ruddock at blindside flank was the pick of the pack, the back row helping Ireland score the second of their two tries.

A penalty apiece by Robbie McGowan and Ian McKinley left the two teams loicked together at 3-3 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 8 Stuart McInally launched a handling move  that ended with scrum half Henry Pyrgos darting over for an unconverted try after McGowan had been tackled on the line.

The Scots, now ahead in most areas of play, 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 UCD clubman McKinley 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 were converted by McGowan.

A try by replacement prop Adam Macklin and the conversion by Madigan narrowed the Scots’ lead and the Irish showed guts to engineer a try for full-back David Kearney, after good work by Macklin.

Madigan added the conversion but with McGowan kicking well, Scotland were 32-20 to the good.

The hosts then survived a scrum on their own line before running down the clock with controlled forward play and disciplined defence, sealing their win with another McGowan penalty.

SCOTLAND UNDER-20: Robbie McGowan (Stirling County); Paul Loudon (Durham University/Edinburgh Accies), Ashleah McCulloch (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby), Robbie Johnston (Leeds University/Leeds Carnegie), Grant Anderson (Ayr); Andrew White (Glasgow Hawks), Henry Pyrgos (Loughborough University); Gavin Cameron (Boroughmuir), Finlay Gilles  (Heriot’s), David Morton (Bridgwater), Nick Campbell (Glasgow Hawks), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) (capt), Struan Dewar (Heriot’s), Chris Fusaro (Heriot’s), Stuart McInally (Watsonians).

Replacements: Ryan McConnell (Peebles), Douglas Orr (Haddington), James Taylor (Loughborough University/Dundee HSFP), Tom Drennan (Edinburgh Academicals), Peter Jericevich (Glasgow Hawks),  Peter Horne (West of Scotland), Adam McKenzie (Northumbria University).

IRELAND UNDER-20: David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster); Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen/Munster), Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster), Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster); Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Matthew Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster); Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Ciaran Ruddock (Neath/Exiles), James Sandford (Queen’s University/Ulster), Rhys Ruddock (Millfield School/Exiles), Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) (capt).

Replacements: David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Adam Macklin (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster), Michael Noone (Seapoint/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Andrew Burke (Garryowen/Munster), Shane Gahan (Lansdowne/Leinster).

Referee: Andrew Small (England)