In front of more than 7,000 at the Gnoll, Wales U21 overcame some staunch Irish resistance in the first period to complete a season’s clean sweep; Ospreys fly-half Matthew Jones leading the way with a seventeen point haul.
Wales U21Â made a nervy start as the pressure of Championship, Triple Crown and Grand Slam destiny weighed heavy on their minds, and this despite Jones giving them a third-minute lead with a simple penalty from in front of the posts. He missed a more difficult opportunity in the tenth minute but soon made amends by rounding off a glorious Welsh move to claim the match’s opening try in the sixteenth minute. The diminutive fly-half added the extra points to give Wales U21 a 10-0 cushion.
Ireland U21Â hit back on the half hour, centre Andrew Trimble cutting through to send No.8 Stephen Ferris over in the left-hand corner for an unconverted try; and 10-5 was how it stayed until the interval.
Whatever coach Chris Davey said must have worked as Wales U21Â came out with far more purpose after the break and it took just three minutes for them to extend their advantage, Jones and centre Andrew Bishop combined to put wing Chris Czekaj over in the corner. Jones converted to make it 17-5. Jones added a penalty in the 50th minute and soon after improved a Bishop try which put the result beyond doubt at 27-5. Czekaj iced the Welsh cake with his second try two minutes from time and James Merriman accept the U21 Six Nations trophy.
