Bonus point win as Ireland U20s ease past Italy

Ireland U20 39-12 Italy U20

Three tries in a 15-minute spell midway through the second half did the damage, as the Irish U20s continued their impressive start to this year's Six Nations.

It wasn't always comfortable in their 39-12 bonus point win against Italy though.

Having been 13-0 in front and seemingly in complete control late in the first half, Ireland shipped a try right on half time as Italian loosehead Luca Rizzoli powered his way through.

And having stewed on the score for a quarter of an hour, Ireland looked tense in the early exchanges of the second half, turning over possession multiple times to the visitors, who failed to land the right shots.

The relief around Musgrave Park was clear when Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine burrowed over for the second try which knocked the life out of Italy's challenge, as Loran McLoughlin, Reuben Crothers and Chay Mullins followed up with further scores.

Richie Murphy's side picked up a third win from three games, remaining on course for a second Grand Slam in three seasons.

Italy came into the game off the back of a historic win against England in Round Two, and they started brightly with a powerful scrum and some strong carries from their larger forward pack.

They almost had the opening points of the day, but Nicolo Teneggi's penalty on 12 minutes was pulled left and wide.

Ireland grew into the game though and forced Italy to concede penalties, before landing a double-whammy on 18 minutes; Leinster wing Fionn Gibbons finished off some quick, sharp handling to score in the corner, with Italy flanker David Odiase sent to the sin-bin before play even restarted, having grappled an Irish plyer around the head.

The try settled Ireland, who kept their lead ticking over with a pair of