Triple Crown Win For Welsh Under-19s

…Ireland Under-19 captain Conor McInerney is confronted by Welsh duo Bradley Davies (left) and Joshua Turnbull at Stradbrook…

The Ireland Under-19 team leaked four second half tries as they went down to their Welsh counterparts at Stradbrook on Saturday afternoon.

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL: Saturday, February 25

IRELAND U-19 6 WALES U-19 31, Stradbrook, Blackrock College RFC

Scorers: Ireland: Pens: Ian Keatley 2

Wales: Tries: Ashley Smith, Alec Jenkins, Gareth Maule, Martyn Thomas, Matthew Larsen; Cons: Rhys Jones 3

Charlie McAleese’s Irish side were still in the hunt, trailing by just 7-6 at half-time.

UCD fly half Ian Keatley kicked two early penalties but a try from centre Ashley Smith, converted by Rhys Jones, saw the young Dragons hit the front.

Wales, having beaten England and Scotland already this season, ensured their Triple Crown success as they ran in four tries without reply in the second half through winger Alec Jenkins, centre Gareth Maule, full-back Martyn Thomas and replacement lock Matthew Larsen.

Next up for the Ireland Under-19s is a date with England U-19 at the Stoop on St Patrick’s Day.

IRELAND U-19: Michael Skelton (UL Bohemians); Stuart Morrow (Ballynahinch), Kyle Tonnetti (St. Gerard’s), Ian Whitten (Queen’s University, Belfast), Michael Barker (Queen’s University, Belfast); Ian Keatley (UCD), Stephen Cranley (Greystones); Richard Sweeney (UCD), Andrew O’Driscoll (PBC Cork), Royce Burke-Flynn (Blackrock), Andrew Browne (Galwegians), Conor McInerney (UCD) (capt), Thomas Anderson (Queen’s University, Belfast), David Pollock (Queen’s University, Belfast), Kevin Sheahan (UCD).

Replacements: Neil Simpson (Instonians), David Millard (NEC Harlequins/St. Mary’s College, London), James Gethings (Gonzaga), Tom Walsh (Castleknock College), Shane O’Sullivan (CBC Cork), David Drake (Instonians), Niall O’Connor (Limavady Grammar School), Stephen Verso (Blackrock College RFC).

Management Team: Manager – Keith Patton, Coach – Charlie McAleese, Assistant Coach – Bobby Byrne, Assistant Coach – Killian Keane.

WALES U-19: Martyn Thomas (Scarlets); Alec Jenkins (Scarlets), Gareth Maule (Dragons), Ashley Smith (Dragons), James Lewis (Dragons); Rhys Jones (Exiles/Sale Sharks), Robert Lewis (Dragons); Nicholas Eaves (Blues), Marc Breeze (Ospreys), Jamie Corsi (Dragons), Bradley Davies (Blues) (capt), Lou Reed (Scarlets), Joshua Turnbull (Scarlets), Daniel Franks (Blues), Lewis Evans (Dragons)

Replacements: Keiron Jenkins (Blues), Kenneth Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Larsen (Blues), Hugh Gustafson (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Darren Allinson (Scarlets).

Referee: Dean Richards (England)