Ireland Under-20s secure bonus-point win in Cork
IRELAND UNDER-20s 36 WALES UNDER-20s 22
The Ireland Under-20s held off a second-half fight-back from Wales to secure a 36-22 bonus point win at a windy Musgrave Park.
Noel McNamara's side did almost all the damage during a wind-backed first half, Mark Hernan's charge-down score after just 68 seconds lighting the touch paper for a terrific opening 40 minutes from the defending U-20 Six Nations champions.
Further tries from Dan Kelly, man-of-the-match Lewis Finlay and Hernan made it 31-7 at half-time, with Jack Crowley landing five kicks-from-five and Osian Knott opening Wales' account in the 35th minute.
The Welsh were much-improved in the second period - Joe McCarthy saw yellow after a penalty try and centre Knott crossed again - but Andrew Smith's 63rd-minute try had Ireland out of reach, and their back-to-back bonus point victories have them just ahead of England, their next opponents, at the top of the table.
Wales, who lost 17-7 at home to Italy last week, were under immediate pressure in Cork with Crowley's kick-off bouncing out for a five-metre lineout. Scrum half Dafydd Buckland then took too long with his clearance kick which was smothered and touched down by ever-alert flanker Hernan.
The wind died down enough for the excellent Crowley to convert from far out on the right, and another blocked kick - this time Tom Stewart was quickly up on Sam Costelow - had the hungry hosts prowling for another early score.
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