THE IRELAND UNDER-20 Women made history with their first win at this level, breaking clear of Scotland in the second half to triumph 37-7 in sweltering Parma.
Ireland’s youngest members of the front row union claimed four of the five tries, as Niamh Briggs’ side signed off at the inaugural Six Nations Women’s Summer Series with the result that they craved.
Prop Sophie Barrett barged over in the sixth minute, and two Kate Flannery penalties had Ireland 13 points clear before Scotland’s Lucia Scott crossed on the stroke of half-time.
Despite injuries for Faith Oviawe and Kelly Burke, the scorer of a late brace against Italy, there was no stopping Ireland – and the pack led superbly by captain Jane Neill – as they racked up four unanswered tries in a 21-minute spell.
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Replacement Éadaoin Murtagh grabbed the first one from a lineout maul, player-of-the-match Beth Buttimer burrowed over twice in quick succession, and Hannah Wilson came off the bench to have the final say, set up by impressive 18-year-old hooker Buttimer.
This new development competition offers vital international experience for both players and coaches alike, and the route now looks clearer for Ireland’s best talent to build through the age-grades and press for senior selection.
All 28 players got game-time across the three rounds and a chance to benchmark themselves against international opposition.
The tournament allowed three Under-23 players per matchday squad, so Ireland were able to field the likes of Oviawe, Ruth Campbell, and Ivana Kiripati.
— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 14, 2024
IRELAND U-20: Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster); Hannah Clarke (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht), Ellen Boylan (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht), Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht); Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), May Goulding (Saracens/Old Albanian Saints/IQ Rugby); Grainne Burke (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC/Ulster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Aoibheann Hahessy (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Jane Neill (Galwegians RFC/Leinster) (capt).
Replacements used: Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) for Oviawe (15 mins), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Buttimer, Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for G Burke (both 23), Buttimer for K Burke (32), Éadaoin Murtagh (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Hahessy, Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Goulding, Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for C Barrett (all 45), Lily Morris (Killarney RFC/Munster) for Wilson (47), Wilson for S Barrett, Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Flannery (both 59), Hahessy for Murtagh (72), Murtagh for Heylmann (77).
SCOTLAND U-20: Izzy McGuire-Evans (Sale Sharks/Glasgow Warriors); Sky Phimister (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury), Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors), Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt); Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby); Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt), Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Holland Bogan (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby), Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby), Megan Hyland (Garioch/Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements used: Hannah Ramsay (Unattached/Edinburgh Rugby) for Ainsworth (19 mins), Samanther Tagnanekurukuru (Stirling County/Edinburgh Rugby) for Hyland, Lauryn Walter (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders) for Gunderson (both 32), Chloe Brown (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) for Fletcher (44), Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors) for Brebner-Holden (55), Karis Craig (Watsonian FC/Glasgow Warriors) for Roland (59), Lucy Christie (Newcastle University) for Logan, Brebner-Holden for McGuire-Evans (both 63), Poppy Clarkson (Biggar) for Brown (64), Gunderson for Bogan (65), Hyland for Bell (67), Fletcher for Fleming (72-77).
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Ireland U20 Women finish Sumer Series with historic win over Scotland
Ireland U20s 37
Scotland U20s 7
THE IRELAND UNDER-20 Women made history with their first win at this level, breaking clear of Scotland in the second half to triumph 37-7 in sweltering Parma.
Ireland’s youngest members of the front row union claimed four of the five tries, as Niamh Briggs’ side signed off at the inaugural Six Nations Women’s Summer Series with the result that they craved.
Prop Sophie Barrett barged over in the sixth minute, and two Kate Flannery penalties had Ireland 13 points clear before Scotland’s Lucia Scott crossed on the stroke of half-time.
Despite injuries for Faith Oviawe and Kelly Burke, the scorer of a late brace against Italy, there was no stopping Ireland – and the pack led superbly by captain Jane Neill – as they racked up four unanswered tries in a 21-minute spell.
Replacement Éadaoin Murtagh grabbed the first one from a lineout maul, player-of-the-match Beth Buttimer burrowed over twice in quick succession, and Hannah Wilson came off the bench to have the final say, set up by impressive 18-year-old hooker Buttimer.
This new development competition offers vital international experience for both players and coaches alike, and the route now looks clearer for Ireland’s best talent to build through the age-grades and press for senior selection.
All 28 players got game-time across the three rounds and a chance to benchmark themselves against international opposition.
The tournament allowed three Under-23 players per matchday squad, so Ireland were able to field the likes of Oviawe, Ruth Campbell, and Ivana Kiripati.
IRELAND U-20: Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster); Hannah Clarke (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht), Ellen Boylan (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht), Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC/Connacht); Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), May Goulding (Saracens/Old Albanian Saints/IQ Rugby); Grainne Burke (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC/Ulster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Aoibheann Hahessy (Ennis/Kilrush RFC/UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Jane Neill (Galwegians RFC/Leinster) (capt).
Replacements used: Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) for Oviawe (15 mins), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Buttimer, Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for G Burke (both 23), Buttimer for K Burke (32), Éadaoin Murtagh (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Hahessy, Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Goulding, Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for C Barrett (all 45), Lily Morris (Killarney RFC/Munster) for Wilson (47), Wilson for S Barrett, Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Flannery (both 59), Hahessy for Murtagh (72), Murtagh for Heylmann (77).
SCOTLAND U-20: Izzy McGuire-Evans (Sale Sharks/Glasgow Warriors); Sky Phimister (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury), Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors), Hannah Walker (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt); Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby); Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby) (co-capt), Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Holland Bogan (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors), Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Rugby), Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars/Edinburgh Rugby), Gemma Bell (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury/Edinburgh Rugby), Megan Hyland (Garioch/Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements used: Hannah Ramsay (Unattached/Edinburgh Rugby) for Ainsworth (19 mins), Samanther Tagnanekurukuru (Stirling County/Edinburgh Rugby) for Hyland, Lauryn Walter (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders) for Gunderson (both 32), Chloe Brown (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors) for Fletcher (44), Rhea Clarke (University of Edinburgh/Glasgow Warriors) for Brebner-Holden (55), Karis Craig (Watsonian FC/Glasgow Warriors) for Roland (59), Lucy Christie (Newcastle University) for Logan, Brebner-Holden for McGuire-Evans (both 63), Poppy Clarkson (Biggar) for Brown (64), Gunderson for Bogan (65), Hyland for Bell (67), Fletcher for Fleming (72-77).
Referee: Beatrice Smussi (Italy)
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Ireland U20 Women niamh briggs success