Ireland U20 47 – 14 Scotland U20

Scotland's Archie Appleby in a line-out during the 2026 Under 20 Six Nations Championship Round 5 game between Ireland and Scotland in Virgin Media Park, Cork, Ireland, Sunday, March 15, 2026 (Photo by Laszlo Geczo / Inpho) ============================================= Use the following embed code to publish this image online: More info: at https://smartframe.io/embedding-support/

Scotland made a bright start, quickly putting Ireland’s defence under pressure in the opening minutes. Ireland conceded a penalty at the breakdown with Scotland deep inside the Irish 22. Captain Joe Roberts opted for a quick tap, using the forwards to drive at the line. Ollie McKenna powered over but was held up just short, denying Scotland an early breakthrough.

It was the hosts who would instead opened the scores, after thy earned a lineout inside Scotland’s 22. The ball was popped down from the air to the blindside, finding Duinn Maguire who dotted down. Tom Wood added the conversion (7–0, 8 mins).

Ireland thought they had their second after scooping up a loose ball, which allowed them to produce a series of offloads down the left wing, with Rob Carney finishing the move. Wood’s conversion drifted wide, but ahead of the restart the TMO intervened to alert referee David Vosalevu of a forward pass in the build-up, and the try was ruled out, offering Scotland a reprieve.

Scotland continued to compete but disciplinary errors proved costly, they found themselves penalised for not rolling away, allowing Ireland to kick for a lineout inside the 22. After several close-range phases from the Irish forwards, the ball was eventually moved wide to the right where Derry Moloney finished in the corner. Wood converted (14–0, 21 mins).

Ireland added their third try on the half-hour mark. Christopher Barrett played the ball out the back to Wood, who quickly shifted it on to Carney near the left touchline. With Scotland’s defence stretched, Carney had space to cross. Wood converted (21–0, 31 mins).

Despite the scoreline, Scotland continued to show attacking ambition when they had their hands on the ball. A promising passage of play, including breaks from Adam McKenzie and Dan Halkon took Scotland within meres of the line but the ball came loose, allowing Ireland to look for an escape. U20 debutant Henry Armstrong, who had replaced Nairn Moncrieff some minutes before, gathered Ireland’s exit and drove play back into the Irish 22. Ireland were penalised at the ruck, but Dalziel’s kick for touch was unluckily caught by the strong wind and carried dead, allowing Ireland to clear their lines for good.

Ireland secured the bonus-point try shortly before the break. Turning Scotland over inside their own half, they worked the ball left where Ben Blaney appeared on the blindside, evading two Scottish defenders to score. Wood converted. (28–0, 38 mins)

Scottland’s intent to get themselves onto the board before the break, could not be denied but Ireland’s defence was a force to be reckoned with. A lightning break from Armstrong provided a promising attacking platform, and Scotland turned to their forward pack to drive at the line. Jamie Stewart appeared to power over amid a pile of Irish defenders, sparking hopes of a late score.

Referee David Vosalevu consulted with the TMO to determine whether the ball had been grounded, but with no clear evidence of a successful grounding, the try could not be awarded and the half was brought to a close.

Half-time: Ireland U20 28 – 0 Scotland U20

The second half began in scrappy fashion, with neither side able to build sustained attacking momentum. Scotland were forced to defend early but showed good resilience, managing to hold Ireland up over the line to prevent a quick score.

Much of the third quarter lacked continuity from both teams. Handling errors and infringements disrupted any attacking rhythm, with both sides struggling to establish a consistent platform.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 67th minute. Scotland’s defensive line was stretched across their 15-metre line, allowing Ireland’s backline space to move the ball quickly through the hands. A series of offloads found Johnny O’Sullivan on the wing to finish. Wood added the conversion (35–0, 68 mins).

Despite the scoreline, Scotland remained determined to respond. The young Scots forced a penalty from the hosts inside their half, giving Dalziel the opportunity to kick to touch. Scotland’s forwards produced a strong maul from the lineout, outmuscling the men in green before Jamie McAughtrie peeled away to score Scotland’s first try of the day. McArthur converted (35–7, 71 mins).

That score galvanised Scotland. From the restart, Henry Widdowson was ready to react to the ball, coming his way, chipping it ahead the touchline. Chasing his own kick, he edged past two defenders in a foot race before slapping the down for the try. McArthur stepped up for the conversion – initially forced to retake after Ireland advanced too early – and then calmly slotted the kick from his hand after it spilled from the tee (35–14, 74 mins).

Ireland responded soon after. Continuing the offloading style that had troubled Scotland throughout the match, they kept the ball alive before Christopher Barrett crossed for another try. Wood converted (42–14, 76 mins).

Scotland were then required to defend for the remaining time. Ireland eventually added another score when Christian Foley forced his way over the line. Wood’s conversion attempt drifted wide, closing the match (47–14, 80 mins).

Full-time: Ireland U20 47 – 14 Scotland U20

Scotland U20: Henry Widdowson (Edinburgh Rugby), Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby), Campbell Waugh (Glasgow Hawks), Harry Clark (Watsonian FC), Rory McHaffie (Edinburgh Rugby); Jake Dalziel (Merchiston Castle School/Melrose RFC), Adam McKenzie (Watsonian FC); Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors) Joe Roberts – Captain (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby), Alfie Blackett (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors), Archie Appleby (Northampton Saints), Jack Utterson (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Purvis (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: Jamie McAughtrie (on for Stewart, 55 mins) (Ayr RFC), Will Pearce (on for Purvis, 55 mins)(Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears), Jackson Rennie ( on for McKenna, 55 mins) (Glasgow Warriors), Fin Ronnie (Watsonian FC), Christian Lindsay (on for Blackett, 40 mins) (Edinburgh Rugby), Harvey Preston (on for Utterson, 40 mins)(Glasgow Hawks), Hamish MacArthur (on for McKenzie, 58 mins) (Edinburgh Rugby), Henry Armstrong (on for Moncrieff, 27 mins) (Stirling County RFC)

Ireland U20: Noah Byrne, Derry Moloney, Rob Carney, James O’Leary, Daniel Ryan; Tom Wood, Christopher Barrett; Max Doyle, Duinn Maguire, Sami Bishti, Joe Finn, Donnacha McGuire, Josh Neill, Ben Blaney, Diarmaid O’Connell

Replacements: Lee Fitzpatrick, Christian Foley, Luke Murtagh, Dylan McNeice, Billy Hayes, James O’Dwyer, Charlie O’Shea, Johnny O’Sullivan

Referee: David Vosalevu (FRU)

Player of the Match: Tom Wood (Ireland)