It was a perfect day for Wales in Dublin on Saturday, as our U16s and Student sides tasted comprehensive victories as the Four Nations opened in both disciplines.
Wales U16 extended their unbeaten run to ten matches following a 64-20 win over Ireland.
Captain Charlie Eatly was close to unstoppable as Wales, who were 12-0 up after only four minutes, responded to an impressive Ireland rally, to close as comfortable winners.
Eatly and Zac Nottingham opened Wales’ account, with Jack Parrott adding the first two of ten goals from eleven attempts, only for Ireland to blast back with tries by Paddy White, Noah Walsh and Max Cooney – with Joseph Clarke converting two scores to lead 16-12.
Leighton Clarke and Rhys Anthony replied for Wales to help forge a 22-16 advantage, but Ireland were only 22-20 adrift when Callum McDonald dotted down on 32 minutes.
It was, though, one-way traffic from then on. Eatly claimed his last two tries while Frazer Redman, Jacob Maund, Scott Hewitt and Nottingham (for his second) were also among those to go in.
Wales head coach Tom Marsh said: “Saturday’s game was really physical and there was some high-quality rugby on display from both teams. Ireland built momentum well in the first half and played some strong rugby, which helped them to their 20 points.
“In the second half, we started to play more to our game plan and completed our sets much better. There were periods of poor discipline from both sides, which opened the game up and created more space for us to attack and move the ball effectively.
Further details of the Wales v Ireland U16 win here.
Wales Students beat Ireland 50-0, their second international shut-out in a row after the win over Scotland at the end of last season.
The solid team performance was kick-started by captain Mason Phillips, who took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring the first four tries in succession, that earned him the Player of the Match award. All four converted by Llewellyn Hawkes to make the score 24-0 at the break.
Wales came out firing again in the second half and, after defending several six-again” decisions, scored a further five tries, one a piece from debutants Olly Darlington and Kian Lloyd, and three more from Tom Moore, Lewis Howells, and George Groves.
Hawkes added two conversions whilst another debutant, Kavan Phillips, who has also been selected in the Wales U19s squad, kicked the conversion that took the score to 50-0.
Wales head coach Clive Griffiths said: “This was a record victory for us on Irish soil. Preventing a never-say-die Ireland from scoring was indeed a great achievement in warm conditions in Dublin.
“We now turn their attention and preparation to the next Four Nations match, which is a home game against Scotland at Merthyr on Sunday, 7th June. We know that the Scots lost to England in their first match, but we also know that we’re not going to underestimate them whatsoever, as they always arrive to give us a competitive match. We’re already looking forward to it.”
Further details of the Wales v Ireland Students win here.
Wales’ next matches are on Sunday 7th June at Merthyr RFC, in a triple-header of matches against Scotland, that start at noon with the U16 clash. An U17 friendly follows, before the Students match rounds off the exciting day.
