Ireland U20 36-0 Scotland U20
Ireland signed off their U20 Six Nations campaign with a 36-0 win against Scotland at Virgin Media Park in Cork, but it wasn't enough for them to seal a third title in a row, with England's win over France seeing them crowned champions.
Richie Murphy's side looked destined for the three-in-a-row when the final whistle blew in Cork, with their five-try win over the Scots sending them ahead of England temporarily.
At that point, England trailed France 21-12 at half time in Pau, but an incredible second half comeback saw Mark Mapletoft's side come from behind to defeat France 45-31 and claim the title.
While both Ireland and England finished the tournament unbeaten with four wins and a draw each, England's five bonus-points to Ireland's four proved the difference over the course of the championship.
Coming into the final round of games, Ireland's fate wasn't in their own hands, but the defending champions knew a win would see them put pressure on the leaders who were kicking off an hour later against France in Pau.
Ireland looked edgy in the first half in Cork, and let a number of early chances slip against the Scots, who arrived off the back of a heavy defeat to Italy in Round 4, and destined for the wooden spoon.
The visitors refused to roll over though, and were the more physical side for large parts of the first half, with replacement prop Robbie Deans giving them an edge at the scrum, winning three penalties in quick succession.
On 21 minutes Ireland finally got over for the opening try, with Hugo McLaughlin finishing off a brilliant counter-attack off turnover ball.
Jack Murphy's garryowen wasn't dealt with by Scottish full-back Jack Brown, and it allowed Sean Edogbo reclaim possession, before Ireland took advantage of a narrow Scottish defence to move wide, as McLaughlin eventually dived over to score.
Murphy's touchline conversion made it 7-0, but it wasn't enough to settle the hosts, who continued to look out of sync in attack.
It wasn't until the 50th minute that they finally looked settled, with Patreece Bell winning a big scrum penalty, which allowed Murphy kick them further in front, making it 10-0.
After defending relentlessly in the opening half, Scotland tired as the game approached the hour mark, and they finally cracked on 60 minutes when Ireland captain Evan O'Connell forced his way over to give Ireland breathing room, making it 15-0 and a three-score game.
With the possibility of points difference coming into the equation, Ireland went after the bonus-point in the final quarter, and when Scottish replacement Monroe Job was sin-binned on 65 minutes for cynically stopping a quick free-kick, it allowed Ireland work their way up the field.
Further penalties followed, and nine minutes from time they finally got their maul to work with replacement hooker Danny Sheahan touching down, before Sean Edogbo powered over on 77 minutes to seal the bonus-point.
There was still time for Sheahan to barge burrow over and get his second try of the night with the final play of the game, as Murphy's conversion made it 36-0, and attention turned to the south of France.
France, who Ireland had beaten on the opening weekend of the championship, maintained their half time lead to the hour mark, moving 31-24 ahead of England.
But the visitors blew their opponents away in the final quarter, with three tries seeing them deny Ireland's three-in-a-row bid, and secure a first title since 2021.
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