The Irish Under-19 side showed true grit when they overcame a strong Italian outfit at Sutton on Saturday. The Italians led by a point at the break but Ireland pulled away in the second half and in the end well deserved to win.

Ireland struck first after ten minutes with a try by hooker Adrian Flavin. Second row, Aidan Kearney won a line-out, and from the ensuing ruck, Flavin went over in the left half corner.

It only took another 12 minutes for the Irish to get their second try through scrum-half, Kieran Campbell. He intercepted a pass on halfway and raced over unopposed.

Italy responded quickly, however, when right- wing, Alesandro Onori raced over. Out-half Marco Anversa converted and then, just before the break, the Italians struck again when hooker, Lapo Leoncilli, broke from a ruck near the Irish line and crashed over to give his side a 14-10 lead. Ireland were awarded a penalty just on half-time and full back Donovan Rossi slotted it over.

Five minutes into the second half, the Irish struck back when Campbell kicked ahead for left wing Darragh Holt to score. Again, there was no conversion, but Ireland got their fourth and final try when right wing, John Reynolds, caught the ball from another Campbell kick-ahead and went over.