Ireland U20s v Wales U20s - match thread.

[Cari]

First topic message reminder :

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

[Morgannwg]

The ref is poor and teams are dropping the ball or always losing it at the breakdown. What an awful game, I expected more tries at this level.

[wales606]

We can't pass, we can't catch, we can't kick, we can't carry it into contact without spillig the ball.... Worst U20's team.

I remember the U20s getting thrashed in Ireland 2 years ago, so not the worst.

Wales just can hold onto possession for more than a few phases, the Irish forwards are too dominant.

Welsh backs defence has been superb.

[eirebilly]

It would be a typical Irish performance then if they had all the possesion and field position to only end up loosing the match....

[Notch]

I have to say, Wales have been atrocious in terms of their passing and handling. I normally associate their underage teams with quite a fluent, flowing style of rugby but they've butchered everything.

This lad Farrell coming on is decent, big guy for his age and good handling too.

[rodders]

Frustrating to watch if your an Irish fan then?

Yeah. I mean theres been lots of good attacking play but our contact skills have been poor and we've turned over too much ruck ball in the Welsh 22. We're not commiting enough numbers into the rucks. To only have scored 5 points when they've spent most of the game deep in the Welsh half is really poor.

[Morgannwg]

When did we ever get thrashed by Ireland at this level?

[Cari]

Notch - ah I thought the younger guys would get the experience of playing with the seniors with a second team, no?

By the way, how do you pronounce the name "Tadgh"?

Sam Davies replaced.

[eirebilly]

Frustrating to watch if your an Irish fan then?

Yeah. I mean theres been lots of good attacking play but our contact skills have been poor and we've turned over too much ruck ball in the Welsh 22. We're not commiting enough numbers into the rucks. To only have scored 5 points when they've spent most of the game deep in the Welsh half is really poor.

Cheers rodders, got to love how frustrating it is to watch Ireland play

[rodders]

Jeebus Wales attacking play and passing has been awful. Very un-Welsh like.

[rodders]

Billy take it from me 5-3 is not a reflection of the game. Wales have rarely been out of their half. They have dominated the scrums and breakdown though.

[Notch]

It's like 'Teig' I think.

There's no reason why there wouldn't be younger players in there Cari, but there would also be internationals coming back from injury or needing to get into a bit of form and experienced players who are there to hold it all together etc.

[HammerofThunor]

maestegmafia, 31-3 (5 tries/3 conv to one penalty).

Have Ireland failed to score due to excellent Welsh defence or mistakes?

[Cari]

Oh dear...that looked like a nasty hit on the Irish player. He's a little shaky on his feet, but up and about all the same. He's just come on too! bless.

[asoreleftshoulder]

It's pronounced Ti-eguh but quickly so it's only one syllable.

[eirebilly]

Other than Hanrahan i am really interested in seeing how Marmion performs.

[Cari]

thanks Notch.

Wales kicking for a penalty - excellent! 5 - 6.

[asoreleftshoulder]

maestegmafia, 31-3 (5 tries/3 conv to one penalty).

Have Ireland failed to score due to excellent Welsh defence or mistakes?

Bit of both plus some wayward kicking.

[Notch]

It would be our own fault if we lost this game tbh, we should be home and hosed but Wales (to their credit) have been organised in defence and we've just not been clinical enough.

And there we are, Wales are in the lead. 6-5. They've been abysmal but we've let them off the hook so no-one to blame but ourselves.

[TycroesOsprey]

There is a definite touch of hobbiton about the Irish no 10. cant believe we are leading.

[Cari]

Notch - but Wales immediately give a penalty away! looks like Jackson could nail it too.

oops....it misses! 5 - 6.

[Notch]

Other than Hanrahan i am really interested in seeing how Marmion performs.

Well Marmion was replaced by McGrath quite a while ago. He was average, I don't rate him that highly. McGrath has been an improvement.

[Notch]

Blydi hell Paddy, did you bring the wrong boots or wha?

[rodders]

Unbelievably Wales leading 6-5.

Ireland have just failed to put points on the board Hammer. Too many Knock ons and turn overs at key times. Like I say we've been off the pace at the breakdown.

Paddy Jackson misses a another penalty. That hasn't helped either. Feck.

[red_stag]

Ive said it before and Ill say it again. Jackson is EXTREMELY over hyped

[eirebilly]

Other than Hanrahan i am really interested in seeing how Marmion performs.

Well Marmion was replaced by McGrath quite a while ago. He was average, I don't rate him that highly. McGrath has been an improvement.

Oh ok, cheers mate. I rate him to be honest

[wales606]

Jackson needs to be taken off now

His place kicking is not good enough - especially for a tight finish like this.

[HammerofThunor]

Yellow card for England (breakdown offences for a change). Ref got changed during the first half and England not compensated their style. England not giving away stupid penalties but just not playing to the new ref.

[Cari]

Wales clear from the dead ball line, but Ireland keep it in play. They're gunning for a try now....but Jackson gets the drop goal instead.

8 - 6.

[TycroesOsprey]

nice drop

[rodders]

Good man Paddy! That takes guts there after all those missed kicks.

[Notch]

Jackson has played well though, Marsh on the bench isn't as good- we'd be better off having Hanrahan taking on the kicking duties.

Good DG from Jackson.

[wales606]

Jackson can kick for territory well and DG well - but cant place kick?

[Cari]

What were you saying Wales? That was out of the ROG School of Badly Needed Drop Goals...

[asoreleftshoulder]

McGrath looks very sharp for Ireland,first time I've seen him play after hearing a lot of good things.He has a lovely flat,quick pass.

[wales606]

Welsh 7 almost got away then

[rodders]

Ive said it before and Ill say it again. Jackson is EXTREMELY over hyped

Ha ha Taxi for Stag!

[Notch]

I think it's something he struggles with, I've seen him have very good games place kicking from everywhere and some where he just can't kick at all.

He's young enough for me not to be too worried. He has time to work on it.

[rodders]

What a drop goal!

[Cari]

Lovely drop goal from McGrath!

11 - 6.

[eirebilly]

What were you saying Wales? That was out of the ROG School of Badly Needed Drop Goals...

Was it that good?

[Cari]

Eight minutes to go and Wales need a converted try...

[wales606]

What were you saying Wales? That was out of the ROG School of Badly Needed Drop Goals...

I hear Sexton had to drop out of that school




Schoolboy stuff from Wales there - Beautiful DG, but gifted by Wales

[Rava]

Found yous.

Jackson has been having a mare kicking but he is a class act at 10.

McGrath looks like a real future star at 9, something we desperately need.

So thats the future half backs sorted

[Notch]

Another great DG, this time from Luke McGrath!

McGrath has been much better than Marmion who'll be lucky to keep his place.

That's a great kick from Leyden.

[GunsGerms]

Jordan coughlan on. Very good schools player. Won senior cup last year with clongowes. Captained Ireland in underage cricket but chose Leinster academy over cricket. Think he's originally from cork.

[Cari]

Ireland could possibly put the nail in the coffin now and get a try...we're into the final five minutes and Wales are pushed back down to their own 22.

[Cari]

Wow Leinsterb, that's a change - from cricket to rugby!

[eirebilly]

Come on Ireland

[mystiroakey]

Wow Leinsterb, that's a change - from cricket to rugby!

natural sportsman- should have gone for football instead

[Cari]

Welsh penalty taken quickly...they're trying for the score, but just not getting through. Ireland turn it over again. They're just too good with that!

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