Six Nations: Italy U20 25 Ireland U20 25

Ireland U20 fought to the wire against an impressive Italian outfit in a 25 – 25 draw at a rocking Stadio del Marsi in Avezzano on Friday evening. Tries from David Panter, Jerry Sexton and Ulster’s Rory Scholes combined with two successful conversions and penalties from the boot of stand in out-half Rory Scannell to see the visitors claw back an early 15-0 deficit.

Italy (20) 25

TRY: Vittorio Marazzi, Michele Campagnaro, Giovanni Benvenuti, David Michael Odiete

CON: Edoardo Padovani

PEN: Edoardo Padovani

Ireland (10) 25

TRY: David Panter, Jerry Sexton, Rory Scholes

CON: Rory Scannell (2)

PEN: Rory Scannell (2)

The Italians quickly generated effective phases of possession through some aggressive yet controlled forward play in the opening minutes. Such pressure on the Irish defensive line eventually converted itself into a score for Vittorio Marazzi, who infiltrated the Irish fringes at the ruck to barge over after . . .