Wales 27- 44 Ireland
A pair of tries from James Nicholson and a tour de force from No8 Brian Gleeson saw Ireland U20s overcome a narrow half-time deficit to get their Six Nations campaign off to a flier with an away over Wales in Colwyn Bay.
Nicholson was shifted from full-back to the right wing in the second period and subsequently touched down twice as the visitors ran in six tries to Wales' four.
Further scores from Conor O'Tighernaigh - who opened the scoring against the run of play in the seventh minute- Paddy McCarthy, Ruadhán Quinn and substitute Henry McErlean gave Richie Murphy's side the opening win they craved.
From the kicking tee, Sam Prendergast went three-of-five from conversions and also knocked over two penalties. Harry West converted McErlean's injury-time try.
Wales U20: C Winnett (James 75); L Morgan, L Hennessey, H Ackerman, H Houston (Florence 68); D Edwards, A Hughes (Williams 69); D Kelleher-Griffiths, S Scarfe (Young 67), T Pritchard (Fackrell 54), L Edwards (Martin 60), J Green (Evans 29), R Woodman (capt), L Giannini, H Davies.
Ireland U20: J Nicholson; I Anagu (McErlean 46), H Cooney, J Devine, H Gavin; S Prendergast (West 75), F Gunne (Sheahan 75); G Hadden (Morris 62), G McCarthy (capt), P McCarthy (Barrett 71), D Mangan, C O'Tighearnaigh, J McNabney (Cawley 75), R Quinn (Sheahan 70), B Gleeson.
More to follow...
