Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Rodney Parade, Newport

Wales U20 (14) 20

Tries: Penalty try, S. Emanuel Cons: Wilde Pens: Wilde, Ford

Ireland U20 (12) 12

Tries: Walker, Smyth Cons: Pens: Green

Player of the Match: Sam Scott (Wales)

Wales U20s delivered a defensive clinic to secure a hard-fought 20-12 win over Ireland U20s at Rodney Parade.

This was a victory forged through sheer willpower, with Wales captain Harry Beddall putting in a monumental 34 tackles (Wales 228 tackles). Despite Ireland enjoying 74% of the territory and 63% of possession, they were unable to break through a relentless Welsh defence, particularly in the second half.

Wales’ points came from an early penalty try, a try from Steffan Emanuel, and eight points from Harri Wilde and Harri Ford. Ireland's efforts were limited to two tries from Henry Walker and Eoghan Smyth, with Sam Wisniewski adding two points with the boot.

The hosts couldn’t have hoped for a better start. Beddall won a penalty at the breakdown, and Wales quickly set up camp in the corner. A powerful drive saw them almost push Ireland over their own line, and although the visitors managed to halt the surge, the hosts won a scrum penalty as Ireland illegally sacked the maul, leading to a penalty try.

Ireland responded with intent and came close to scoring when Charlie Maloney knocked the ball on in the act of grounding. Wales capitalised soon after, with Evan Minto's quick thinking and a well-placed kick upfield allowing Emanuel to gather and score their second try, converted by Wilde.

However, Ireland began to apply pressure and snatched a try just before the break, with Smyth powering over from close range to give the visitors a narrow 14-12 lead at half-time.

The second half saw Wales dig deep. Wilde nailed a difficult penalty after their scrum dominated (17-12), but from that point on, it was all about defending for Wales as Ireland threw everything at them.

Scrum-half Clarke Logan was particularly dangerous, but Wales' scramble defence, led by Beddall and tighthead prop Sam Scott, held firm. The back three—Tom Bowen, Aidan Boshoff, and Jack Woods—were exceptional as well, continually thwarting Irish attacks.

Ireland stepped up the pressure with replacement fly-half Tom Wood, the son of the legendary Keith, testing Wales with a pinpoint kick into the Welsh 22. They won the resulting lineout and powered for the line, but Wales held Éanna McCarthy up. With Ireland continuing to probe, the game turned into a kicking battle that Wales won decisively.

Hari Ford added another penalty in the 78th minute to seal the win, taking the score to 20-12.

This victory marked Wales' first back-to-back wins in five years and their first win over Ireland since 2018. It was a testament to their resilience and defensive discipline under coach Richard Whiffin. The team’s unwavering work ethic and key moments of pressure in crucial situations secured a well-earned and memorable triumph.

Welsh prop and Player of the Match Sam Scott was ecstatic with his team's performance saying "It's mental! I can't believe it, the boys worked so hard for this and it's just what we deserve, it has been a tough time for Welsh rugby recently but it shows there are positives!"

The Welsh defence stood strong throughout the second half and repelled anything the Irish side threw at it, Scott put it down to a "bunch of hardworking Welsh people", to put in 228 tackles across the 80 minutes, with captain Beddall leading from the front with 34 tackles alone.

Wales have now made it two from three in the U20 Six Nations, the first time winning back-to-back games since 2020. With Scotland up next, Scott believes this team can produce something special with the Championship title up for grabs "I think it is, it's all to play for, it will be tough going up to the Scots, but we are really looking forward to it!".

Wales U20

15. Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)

14 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)

13 Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks)

12 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)

11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)

10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)

9 Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC);

1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby)

2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)

3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)

4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears)

5 Tom Cottle (RGC)

6 Dan Gemine (Ospreys)

7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)

8 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)

Replacements

16 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)

17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears)

18 Owain James (Dragons RFC)

19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)

20 Caio James (Gloucester)

21 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)

22 Harri Ford (Dragons RFC)

23 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)

Ireland U20

15. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

14. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)

13. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)

12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)

11. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)

10. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

1. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

3. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)

4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)

5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)

6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)

7. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)

8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt)

Replacements:

16. Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster)

17. Paddy Moore (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)

18. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)

19. Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster)

20. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)

21. Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)

22. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)

23. Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster).