Ireland U20s v Wales U20s - match thread.

[Cari]

Venue: Dubarry Park, Athlone, Ireland.
Kick off: 7:05pm
Live on BBC 2 Wales and RTÉ Two from 7pm.
Referee: James Matthew (Scotland)

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/match_centre_u20.php?section=overview&fixid=169258

Ireland:

15 - Shane Layden
14 - Barry Daly
13 - Foster Horan
12 - JJ Hanrahan
11 - Sam Coghlan-Murray
10 - Patrick Jackson
9 - Kieran Marmion
1 - Kyle McCall
2 - Niall Scannell
3 - Peter Reilly
4 - Iain Henderson
5 - Daniel Qualter
6 - Conor Gilsenan
7 - Aaron Conneely
8 - Jack Conan

Replacements:
16 - Des Merrey
17 - James Rael
18 - Jake Cawley
19 - Tadgh Beirne
20 - Jordan Coghlan
21 - Luke McGrath
22 - Cathal Marsh
23 - Christopher Farrell

Errrm, I can't find who Wales are putting out, but here's the squad:
http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_u20.php

[eirebilly]

I like Kieran Marmion, i think that he has a bright future in the game.

[Cari]

Shane Williams is doing the announcements on BBC 2 Wales tonight, and he's wooden as anything - and you can't see him.

So, this could be an interesting game - wonder how Mike Ruddock's thinking...

Awh look they're showing the seniors when they were in the U20s.

[Cari]

Ireland start well, they drive over to get the penalty. Jackson sends it wide. no score.

[asoreleftshoulder]

Pitch looks in bad shape,a couple of players have slipped already.

[Cari]

Ireland appear to be the dominate side at the moment...a bit of a scary moment for Wales there. Jackson going for another penalty, which bounces off the post luckily for Wales.

0 - 0.

Noticed that Sore. Looks freezing there as well....don't know what would be worse, a damp pitch or a frozen one?

[TycroesOsprey]

Hmmm not a good start.

[Cari]

Here's the first scrum...very quickly done, but it's Ireland with possession again. Bit of handbags...cool heads boys.

[Morgannwg]

I thik we may have another shoite scottish ref on our hands. What may be worry for both teams is they look petty lightweight compared to what England and France can usually dish out. Of course, this would not be an issue for us had we had our best players available to us, but they must not think our '2nd team' is important.

[Cari]

ooh, very nearly a try for Ireland, but he loses the ball and it goes to touch. Wales have been spending an awful lot of time down the wrong end of the pitch so far! Some good clearance kicks coming from Wales though.

[rodders]

Evening folks. That Irish no8 looks a decent player. Any players in the Welsh side to look out for?

[eirebilly]

Thanks for for letting me know the scores guys. Unable to watch it here

[Notch]

We're unfortunate that jacko has left his kicking boots in Belfast!

This is frustrating. We're outplaying them but have let them off the hook a lot of times. Missed good try scoring chances as well as kicks.

Like just there- not straight five metres from their line. Then a few phases ago, line break into the 22 and the last pass goes to ground. It's no good being the better side until you get within striking distance and screw it up.

[Cari]

Billy - you're welcome

[rodders]

Brilliant kick there. The Welsh boys look a lot bigger.

[Cari]

Excellent kick from Sam Davies gives Wales a good attacking opportunity, but the Irish lads are strong and clear it away.

[eirebilly]

How is Marmion playing?

[Morgannwg]

Wales back-row is shocking. Our 10 need his forwards to give him some ball.

[Cari]

Drop goal from Wales!!! 0 - 3.

Not sure who he is Billy perhaps one of the Irish lads will know?

[Cari]

Wales are starting to wake up now, but they give away a free kick.

[wales606]

Shaun Edwards has clearly been working with the U20s as part of his new role

5% possession and they are in the lead - good defending

[eirebilly]

So as i am to understand, Ireland are playing the better rugby but Wales are leading?

[Notch]

Alright Billy, but he's getting caught too often at the base. His backrow could be doing a better job of protecting him mind.

[wales606]

Poor passing from Wales gives Ireland a try.

[Notch]

SUPERB break and pass from Hanrahan to create Irelands first try!

[Morgannwg]

Ireland deserve their lead. Shoite stuff from Wales, what on earth are they thinking?

[Cari]

Excellent try by the Irish fullback - a local boy too apparently so the crowd are chuffed. All set up nicely by Hanrahan.

5 - 3. No conversion.

[eirebilly]

Cheers Notch

Try time?

[rodders]

great try! Flip Hanaran was just like a young BOD there!

[wales606]

Awful Welsh backrow,

No comparison to the previous U20s when they had Navidi, and before that Warburton.

[TycroesOsprey]

our outside half is haveing a nightmare really, apart from the drop goal.

[Cari]

our outside half is haveing a nightmare really, apart from the drop goal.

Is that Sam Davies? Nigel's boy?

[wales606]

our outside half is haveing a nightmare really, apart from the drop goal.

Not really, he has make some lovely clearing kicks.

[Cari]

Ireland on the attack again. Their backs are looking dangerous. Wales are giving away penalties like sweeties. Captain gets a warning.

[Morgannwg]

What have we here, yet another scottish ref without a clue about the breakdown. If we manage to get the ball, just hoof it downfield!

[Cari]

Rodders - that Hanrahan boy (future BOD??) is looking very dangerous! I think he's one to watch for the future?

[TycroesOsprey]

plus three chargedowns not counting the 4th by the 15 and a few wayward passes were not getting enough posession to waste it like that. Forwards need to adapt to the ref at the breakdown as well.

[Notch]

27 minutes played, Jacksons conversion fell short so its 5-3.

Ireland have been the better side but have knocked-on, miscued lineouts etc. in the 22. They've had most of the possession and territory but need to make it count. Jackson, whilst he has been excellent in open play, has missed 3 from 3.

Hanrahan looks a class above. I can't believe that Munster have signed the donkey Downey to play 12 when they have this guy waiting in the wings. A very, very promising footballing 12.

[Cari]

Notch - the welsh commentators are bigging up your man Jackson. Another promising 10 for Ireland?

[Hound_of_Harrow]

Thanks for the updates people. I can't get this game in the pub here, and I like the U20s games - the lads usually just go out and play.

Anyone putting their hands up higher honours?

[Cari]

Wales pinged again and Ireland go for the corner rather than the posts. Could be another good opportunity for them here. They're in possession.

[Notch]

Yeah, very much so. I hope he gets more gametime with Ulster during the Six Nations. He definitely does need to improve off the kicking tee though.

I'd like to see him with Pienaar again in the Pro12 where he doesn't need to worry about place kicking but long term he needs to shape up in that department.

[Cari]

Thanks for the updates people. I can't get this game in the pub here, and I like the U20s games - the lads usually just go out and play.

Anyone putting their hands up higher honours?

All right there's a lad called Hanrahan for Ireland who's standing out by a mile at the mo. Massive hit on him there.

[Morgannwg]

I think we can be grateful our defence is well drilled. Otherwise, I think we would be down by a lot more than 2 points. Now we have a lineout, please just clear it.

[wales606]

Hanrahan got smashed

Excellent defence in the corner by Wales

[eirebilly]

Hanrahan is a very good young player, he will be on the scene very soon.

[Cari]

Good drive by the Welsh, but Ireland get the turnover.

[HammerofThunor]

FYI
Scotland U20 3 - England U20 14

Fantastic 2nd try for England. Played it from their own half at the restart for the 1st try, Yarde raced down one wing and passed to the supporting 8 to go under the posts.

[HammerofThunor]

3rd try for England (after 17min )

[Cari]

Cheers Thunor Not good news for the Scots though.

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