Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara paid tribute to his side's character after staving off a Wales comeback in his side's 36-22 bonus-point win over Wales at Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday night.
Tries from Mark Hernan, Dan Kelly, Lewis Finlay and Jack Crowley had Ireland in total control, but Wales rallied before Andrew Smith ended hopes of a Wales victory.
"Our breakdown probably let us down a little bit," McNamara told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"We lacked a little bit of focus and we allowed them back into the game."
But he credited his team for showing fortitude and seeing the game out and added: "The one thing this team have in spades is character.
"You'd have to say that was very much in evidence, not when we're on the front foot with our tails up, but when we're under the pump in that second half.
"Lesser teams might roll over but the boys dug in, got a good score and put the game away."
Next up for his side is a trip to face England on 21 February.
"England are going to be huge at Franklin's Gardens in two weeks’ time," McNamara admitted.
"We'll regroup, recover next week and obviously review this.
"We've a training session with the seniors in CIT next Thursday, so really excited about that challenge and that opportunity as well."
Ulster winger Lewis Finlay scooped the man of the match accolade as well as crossing the whitewash on the night, but he was keen to share any plaudits directed his way with his team-mates.
"They gave us a really hard, physical battle and we expected that from the start," Finlay said.
"I’m really proud of the boys.
"There are guys that have serious engines in this team and the guys are willing to work.
"We want to play on top of boys and we want to play a high-tempo game.
"It’s a testament to all 15 players playing on the pitch at the time."
