Ireland’s Youngest RBS 6 Nations Try Scorers
Robbie Henshaw’s all-important try against England saw him become one of the youngest Ireland try scorers in RBS 6 Nations history. In fact, he is the fifth youngest behind some very talented current and former backs.
Unsurprisingly, the ‘boy wonder’ of Ireland’s youngest RBS 6 Nations try scorers is one Brian O’Driscoll. His try against Scotland in February 2000 came just a month after he had turned 21.
Andrew Trimble, a star of last year’s title-winning campaign, is second on the list having scored at the age of 21 against France in Paris (2006), while Luke Fitzgerald, who is enjoying a very good run of form with Leinster at present, is next up thanks to his brace against Italy during the 2009 Grand Slam run.
Fourth spot goes to former winger Shane Horgan who marked a memorable international debut back in February 2000 by touching down against Scotland.
That leaves Robbie Henshaw to slot in at fifth as he joins ‘club 21’ – a select band of 21-year-old players who have scored a try for Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations. The Athlone youngster was first in to claim Conor Murray’s inch-perfect kick towards the right corner and produce a cool finish under pressure from England’s Alex Goode.
“I don’t think you could write it better. It was just a dream to get my first score here at home. I’m really delighted with it,” said Henshaw afterwards.
IRELAND’S YOUNGEST RBS 6 NATIONS TRY SCORERS:
1. Brian O’Driscoll – 21 years 29 days – Ireland v Scotland, February 19, 2000
2. Andrew Trimble – 21 years 114 days – Ireland v France, February 11, 2006
3. Luke Fitzgerald – 21 years 155 days – Ireland v Italy, February 15, 2009
4. Shane Horgan – 21 years 216 days – Ireland v Scotland, February 19, 2000
5. Robbie Henshaw – 21 years 262 days – Ireland v England, March 1, 2015
An even younger set of players touched down for Ireland during the Five Nations Championship and amateur era. The Irish record for the youngest try scorer in international rugby remains Belfast-born out-half Frank Hewitt who crossed the whitewash as a 17-year-old against Wales in 1924. Hewitt and his older brother Tom (18) were both try-scoring debutants that day in Cardiff.
In more modern times, there have been notable scores by Tony O’Reilly (19-year-old, v France 1956), Ciaran Scally (20, v Georgia 1998), Brian O’Driscoll (20, v USA 1999), Barry McGann (20, v Scotland 1969), Tommy Bowe (20, v USA 2004), Denis Hickie (20, v Wales 1997) and Jonny Bell (20, v Scotland 1995).
IRELAND’S YOUNGEST INTERNATIONAL TRY SCORERS:
1. Frank Hewitt – 17 years 157 days – Ireland v Wales, March 8, 1924
2. Jack Gage – 18 years 331 days – Ireland v Scotland, February 27, 1926
3. Tom Hewitt – 18 years 362 days – Ireland v Wales, March 8, 1924
4. Edward Campbell – 19 years 32 days – Ireland v Scotland, February 18, 1899
5. Aidan Bailey – 19 years 53 days – Ireland v Scotland, February 23, 1935
– With thanks to rugby statistician Stuart Farmer