Ireland U20s continued their quest for historic back-to-back Grand Slams with a 44-27 victory away to Italy at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, in the U20s Six Nations Championship.
Ireland got off to a rapid start this evening, scoring a try through Brian Gleeson after just five minutes.
The tone was set when Prendergast went down the line instead of kicking an easy three points. From the resultant line out, Brian Gleeson came like a train onto the ball and took three Italian defenders with him as he crashed over.
Italy touched down soon after, displaying the power of their maul and scrum, before Ireland scrumhalf Fintan Gunne scored is side's second of the night, after Italian players had stopped playing following a knock-on.
The referee had put her lips to the whistle but did not blow, and Gunne took advantage of the sloppy play from Italy.
One of the highlights from the first half came from Prendergast when he kicked a 50:22 from his own 22, and the superb play from the outhalf lead directly to a close range score from James McNabney.
Prendergast slotted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to maintain his 100% record and give Ireland a 8-27 lead at the break.
The power and size of Brian Gleeson is actually a joke.
Since this try Italy have one of their own and Ireland have got a second through scrumhalf Fintan Gunne 🍀
19 minutes gone IRE 14-5 ITA@PwCIreland #PwCIreland #FutureIsGreenpic.twitter.com/2haQDv3vNq— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 24, 2023
Always play to the whistle!!!@PwCIreland #PwCIreland #FutureIsGreenpic.twitter.com/BgxDkTQ441
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 24, 2023
Some kick this 50/22 #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/5c99UHjvrG
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) February 24, 2023
A third try, this time from James McNabney, has extended the Irish U20s lead in Italy
#rterugby #u20sixnations #ITAvIRE
📱 Updates - https://t.co/OBAnVCTV5e
📺 Watch - https://t.co/mQ6SwzclaI pic.twitter.com/r1xlyiopQW— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 24, 2023
READ HERE: Balls.ie's Greatest Ireland U20s XV Of All-Time
The two sides traded scores in the second 40, with a more competitive Italy outscoring Ireland by three tries to two, and getting the score back to within 10 with ten minutes to play.
Jacopo Botturi, Francois Carlo Mey, and Nicholas Gasperini scored tries for the home side, but it was Mey's superb effort which was the try of the night from either team.
Hugh Cooney got Ireland's bonus point, barrelling over from close range, before Rory Telfer showed impressive power to finish in the corner with his first touch of the ball in this campaign.
Prendergast also added the extras and another penalty to boot.
Ireland U20s will face Scotland U20s away from home on Friday 10 March in their next game (kick-off 7.15pm).
Bonus point for Ireland 💪
However, Italy have since closed the gap to 12 points with a magnificent try of their own.
Just over 60 minutes gone and Ireland lead 34-22 🍀@PwCIreland #PwCIreland #FutureIsGreenpic.twitter.com/fClwE5DVwU— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 24, 2023
Italy U20s have scored a brilliant third try but Ireland remain 12 points clear as the match enters the final quarter#rterugby #u20sixnations #ITAvIRE
📱 Updates - https://t.co/OBAnVCTnfG
📺 Watch - https://t.co/mQ6SwzbNla pic.twitter.com/rFnLTaEY0g— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 24, 2023
Rory Telfer scored the fifth try to put the icing on the cake for the Ireland U20s in Italy#rterugby #u20sixnations #ITAvIRE
📱 Updates - https://t.co/OBAnVCTnfG
📺 Watch - https://t.co/mQ6SwzbNla pic.twitter.com/qFx9yqwDJi— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 24, 2023
SEE ALSO: Ireland U20s Coach Dundon Discusses Valuable Session With Senior Squad
