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Ireland Under-20s edge out Italy in eight-try thriller

Updated / Friday, 13 Feb 2026 22:13
Derry Moloney of Ireland, second from left, celebrates with team-mates and supporters after his second-half try against Italy
Derry Moloney of Ireland, second from left, celebrates with team-mates and supporters after his second-half try against Italy

Ireland 30-27 Italy

The Ireland Under-20s bounced back from a heavy opening day defeat to France to record a thrilling 30-27 win over Italy at Virgin Media Park in Cork.

The sides evenly split eight tries as supporters on Leeside were treated to a free-flowing game of rugby that ebbed and flowed throughout.

The Italians turned down a shot at the posts in the final minute to draw the game as they sought the win, but a crucial turnover from lock Sean Walsh effectively sealed the result and Ireland's first win of the campaign.

In front of a lively crowd in Cork, the hosts opened the scoring early on courtesy of a Tom Wood penalty, but better was to come in the 12th minute.

Quick hands from out-half Wood, son of former Ireland and Lions hooker Keith, released Derry Maloney who made serious ground before popping inside to full-back Noah Byrne. It was then simply a numbers game with scrum-half Chris Barrett on his shoulder to run in the opening try of the game.

In what would be a feature of the game, the Italians quickly struck back, building through the phases while entering enemy territory. With penalty advantage inside the Irish 22, the Azzurri went wide with winger Luca Rossi crossing in the corner, Francesca Braga adding the touchline conversion.

Ireland's second try just after the half hour mark owed much to the searing pace and clever footwork of centre Rob Carney, who made a clean break through the middle. The Munster man was held up short of the line, but under increasing pressure, referee Luke Rogan stuck his arm out for penalty advantage.

With a free play, the ball was flung wide with winger Daniel Ryan touching down from close range. If that was to be the catalyst for Andrew Browne’s side to kick on, the Italians didn’t read the script.

Having claimed the lineout, it was a simple yet highly effective strategy as hooker Valerio Pelli tucked in at the back of a devastating rolling maul before Braga added on the two extra points, and it was the out-half who had the final act of the half.

With the clock in the red, he opted to take the long-range kick and maintained his 100% record off the tee with a confident strike to ensure the visitors took a well-deserved lead to the dressing room.

The home crowd didn't have to wait long after the resumption to get off of their seats. A crunching tackle from Wood on his opposite number Braga turned Italy over and the men in green swiftly moved up the pitch. Carney sucked in two defenders before his grubber kick was chased by the blistering Moloney, who simply outpaced the Italian defence to get the all-important touch.

Similar to the concession of both first-half tries, the Italians simply upped the ante. First Joe Finn was sent to the sin bin for collapsing another dominant Italian maul. Numerically disadvantaged, Italy were happy to flex their muscle at the set-piece, initially in the scrum before again reverting to the maul as Pelli went over for his second of the night.

The see-saw nature of the game continued when flanker and player of the match Josh Neill burrowed over from a tap and go penalty to secure the bonus point.

The Italian challenge was dealt a major setback when number 8 Davide Sette was sin-binned for a dangerous challenge on Irish replacement Billy Hayes, with Wood converting the penalty to put a little daylight between the sides.

Despite playing with 14 men, the Italians simply went to their main attacking tool and from the five-metre lineout it was inevitable they would call on the trusty rolling maul, replacement Jacopo de Rossi getting his name on the scoresheet.

In the final minute the visitors turned down a long-range kick at the posts and Walsh's late turnover sealed the win.

Ireland Under-20: Noah Byrne; Derry Moloney, Rob Carney, James O'Leary, Daniel Ryan; Tom Wood, Christopher Barrett; Max Doyle, Lee Fitzpatrick, Sami Bishti (capt), Dylan McNeice, Donnacha McGuire, Joe Finn, Josh Neill, Diarmaid O'Connell.

Italy Under-20: Edoardo Vitale; Malik Faissal, Daniele Coluzzi, Riccardo Casarin (capt), Luca Rossi; Francesco Braga, Alessandro Teodosio; Christian Brasini, Valerio Pelli, Luca Trevisan, Simone Fardin, Enoch Opoku Gyamfi, Antony Italo Miranda, Carlo Antonio Bianchi, Davide Sette.

Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)

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