Ireland attacked from the off, and got over the line after just two minutes as Mahon Ronan crashed over from short range following several close quarter carries from the Ireland side.

But in the 5^th minute Scotland got on the board themselves as captain Jack Brown slotted over a penalty as Ireland were caught going off their feet at the breakdown.

Scotland were creating chances, and Sam Rockley twice looked to be through but was pulled back both times for forward passes.

The young Scots went ahead in the 13^th minute, when Hector Patterson saw space at the side of a ruck. His dummy bought him an even bigger gap and he dotted down just right of the posts.

Ireland drew level in the 23^rd minute, as Scotland were penalised for not rolling away and the host nation capitalised from the tee.

And they retook the lead in the 30^th minute, as Scotland couldn’t relieve the pressure coming from Ireland’s forwards and substitute Bryan Walsh managed to ground the ball as the defence attempted to hold him up.

And Ireland got a third with the last play of the half as Tom Murtagh collected an offload to dive over on the right side.

Half time: Ireland U18 22-10 Scotland U18

Seven minutes into the second half, Ireland got their fourth try as Mikey Yarr crashed over from a driving maul at the lineout.

But Scotland hit back in the 46^th minute, as strong carries got Scotland up to the line and the dummy from Ollie Duncan gave him the chance to stretch over.

Ireland were reduced temporarily to 14 players in the 56^th minute, as Jack Angulo was sin binned for an intentional trip. From the resulting penalty, Jack Brown slotted over from around 35 metres out.

And with the last play, Ronan charged down an attempted box kick and scored Ireland’s fifth on the left side.

Full time: Scotland U18 20-36 Ireland U18

Scotland will play their second U18 Six Nations Festival match against France U18 on Wednesday (kick off 1pm) – live on the Scottish Rugby website.

Scotland U18: 15. Jack Brown CAPTAIN (George Watson’s College) 14. Fergus Watson (Biggar RFC) 13. Johnny Ventisei (St Aloysius/GHA RFC) 12. Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Yorkshire Academy/Wellington College) 11. Samuel Rockley (London Irish/Bishop Wand/London Irish Academy) 10. Isaac Coates (Merchiston Castle) 9. Hector Patterson (Hawick RFC) 1. Ben White (Peebles RFC) 2. Joe Roberts (Robert Gordon’s College) 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Boroughmuir RFC) 4. Fraser Wilson (Gala RFC) 5. Charlie Moss (Marlow Rugby/Shiplake College/Wasps) 6. Oliver Duncan (Edinburgh Academy) 7. Freddy Douglas (Stewart’s Melville College) 8. Finn Spurway (Glenalmond College)

Replacements: 16. Seb Stephen (Glenalmond College/Aberdeen Grammar RFC) 17. Finlay Mcintosh (George Watson’s College) 18. Keita Ando (SC Frankfurt 1880/Sedbergh) 19. Bart Godsell (Gloucester Academy/Marling) 20. Nicholas Torkington (Stirling County RFC) 21. Fergus Wood (George Heriot’s School) 22. Hugo Alderson (Stewart’s Melville College) 23. Matthew Urwin (St Aloysius) 24. Jack Hocking (Edinburgh Rugby) 25. Thomas Russell (Stewarts Melville College) 26. Sam Leweni (Queen Victoria School)