Ireland U20’s stuttered to 11 – 6 win over Wales in opening round of the RBS 6 Nations last night at Dubarry Park.

There was little excitement in a game that Ireland dominated but they failed to convert pressure into points in a fractured game. The main point of note being that over half the points scored came from drop goals. two for Ireland and one for Wales.

Ulster’s Paddy Jackson had an off-night with the boot, missing four kicks at goal, but the Dungannon youngster generally had a good game with the ball in hand.

I wouldn’t be too worried about young Jacko’s kicking in this game as he hasn’t had too many run outs of late and no matter how much training you do in the paddock there is no substitute for actual match day pressure. It’ll be more interesting to see how he finishes off the series after a run of games.

Ireland dominated the opening exchanges but failed to take their chances and it was Wales that took a surprise lead slotting over a drop goal, by Sam Davies, in their first visit into Irish territory.

The home side regained the lead shortly after with full-back Shane Layden slicing through a stretched defence to cross the line. Jackson missed the conversion but Ireland were in front 5 – 3.

There was no further score in the first half even though Ireland continued to dominate proceedings but the Welsh managed to make vital turnovers at key times.

The Welsh upped their game in the second half and went back in the lead with well taken penalty, from Lewis Williams, pushing the score to 5 – 6. Ireland hit back fairly quickly with Jackson slotting over a drop goal after a series of attacks.

With Ireland in front, and Jackson controlling territory, it looked as though Ireland would cut lose at any minute and put a hat-full of scores past the visitors but further scoring was limited to a reflex drop goal, from Luke McGrath, following a fluffed clearance, which stretched the lead to six with Wales offering little in reply.

Mention for Ulster’s other representatives. Kyle McCall appeared to have a good game in the tight and the loose and Chris Farrell got a good run out coming on with twenty to go. Iain Henderson was my Man of the Match showing his huge engine to full advantage with his non stop performance. He played second row at this level but I expect to see him turning out for Ulster in the back row before this season is over.

Ireland closed out the game comfortably in the end but there will be a few concerns at the frequency of turnovers in the final attacking quarter of the field.

IRELAND U20: Shane Layden, Barry Daly, Foster Horan, JJ Hanrahan, Sam Coghlan Murray, Paddy Jackson, Kieran Marmion, Kyle McCall, Niall Scannell, Peter Reilly, Iain Henderson, Daniel Qualter, Conor Gilsenan, Aaron Conneely, Jack Conan. Replacements: Des Merrey, James Rael, Jake Cawley, Tadgh Beirne, Jordan Coghlan,  Luke McGrath, Cathal Marsh, Christopher Farrell.