Munster Rugby players help Ireland U20s to World Championship win over Georgia

MUNSTER Rugby players made crucial contributions as the Ireland Under-20 Men's team overcame Georgia 35-28 in their World Rugby U20 Championship opener in a hot Stadio San Michele, Calvisano, Italy on Sunday evening.

Garryowen FCs Tom Wood kicked two penalties to add to first half tries from debutant Paidi Farrell and Henry Walker, as Ireland led 18-14 at half-time. 

Farrell and Giorgi Spanderashvili completed their braces during the third quarter, but Neil Doak's Ireland side added tries through Mahon Ronan and Charlie Molony in quick succession to make it 35-21.

Ireland's starting line-up also included highly-rated number eight, Luke Murphy, of Munster, a former student at Árdscoil Rís. 

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The bonus point was just reward for Ireland's fluidity in attack, and their defence was tested again during the closing stages. They held up their powerful opponents from two mauls, but a last-minute effort from replacement Shota Kheladze garnered two bonus points for Georgia.

Next up for Ireland U20s is a meeting with tournament hosts Italy in Viadana on Friday, 7.30pm Irish time. Ireland suffered a 15-12 defeat to Italy when the sides met in the U20 Six Nations earlier this year.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Paidi Farrell 2, Henry Walker, Mahon Ronan, Charlie Molony; Cons: Tom Wood 2; Pens: Tom Wood 2
Georgia: Tries: Gagui Margvelashvili, Giorgi Spanderashvili 2, Shota Kheladze; Cons: Luka Takaishvili 4

IRELAND U-20: Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster); Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), Clark Logan (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster); Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Henry Walker (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster), Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt), Luke Murphy (Young Munster RFC/Munster). Replacements used: Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster) for McCarthy (35-45 mins), Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster) for Bohan (46), Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster) for Walker (46-49), McAllister for Mullan (50), Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster) for Corrigan, Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) for McCarthy (both 56), Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby) for Logan (57), Yarr for Walker (60), Daniel Green (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster) for Farrell (64), Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Smyth (66).

GEORGIA U-20: Luka Takaishvili (Khvamli Tbilisi); Luka Keshelava (RC Army Tbilisi), Data Akhvlediani (Lelo Saracens), Nugzari Kevkhishvili (Lelo Saracens), Tarieli Burtikashvili (RC Vepkhvebi); Gigi Sirbiladze (Lelo Saracens), Giorgi Spanderashvili (Black Lion); Bachuki Baratashvili (RC Batumi), Mikheil Khakhubia (Lelo Saracens), Mate Gurtskaia (Castres Olympique Espoirs), Temur Tsulukidze (Oyonnax Rugby Espoirs), Gagui Margvelashvili (Racing 92 Espors), Luka Narsia (AIA Kutaisi), Andro Dvali (USA Perpignan Espoirs) (capt), Mikheili Shioshvili (RC Toulonnais Espoirs). Replacements used: Archil Nozadze (SU Agen) for Narsia (35-45 mins), Davit Baramia (RC Toulonnais Espoirs) for Tsulukidze (46), Giorgi Meskhidze (USA Perpignan Espoirs) for Gurtskaia, Shota Kheladze (Lelo Saracens) for Khakhubia (both 51), Nozadze for Baratashvili, Nikolozi Chkhortolia (Montpellier Espoirs) for Margvelashvili (both 56), Nika Abesadze (Lelo Saracens) for Narsia (62), Temuri Dzodzuashvili (AIA Kutaisi) for Spanderashvili (64), Sandro Meskhidze (RC Army Tbilisi) for Akhvlediani (68), Baratashvili for Nozadze (79).

REFEREE: Jérémy Rozier (France)