Limerick players inspire Ireland U20s to hard fought Six Nations win over Italy

IRELAND U20s made it two wins from two in this season's U20 Six Nations championship after securing a hard fought 23-22 victory over Italy at Virgin Media Park on Friday night.

Grand Slam champions Ireland were captained by highly-rated Limerick second-row Evan O'Connell, the UL-Bohemian player who is a member of the Munster Academy.

Luke Murphy, of Shannon RFC, who played schools rugby with Ardscoil Ris, turned in an impressive display at number eight for Richie Murphy's side who came from behind to extend their winning start to the Championship. 

A dramatic 74th minute try from replacement Sean Edogbo, younger brother of Munster star Edwin, proved crucial as Ireland avoided a surprise home defeat to the gritty Italians. 

Fellow Munster men, O'Connell, who represented Castletroy College in the Munster Schools Senior Cup, and Munster Academy full-back Ben O'Connor, an accomplished hurler with Cork previously, scored the other tries for the home side.

Ireland U20s, who scored an impressive bonus point win away to France in the opening round, have now won their last 12 fixtures on the bounce in the U20 Six Nations Championship.

SCORERS: Ireland: Tries: Evan O'Connell, Ben O'Connor, Sean Edogbo; Con: Jack Murphy; Pens: Jack Murphy 2. Italy: Tries: Marco Scalabrin 2; Piero Gritti; Cons: Martino Pucciarello 2; Pen: Martino Pucciarello.

IRELAND U20: Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster); Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster); Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster); Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster), Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(captain); Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster). Replacements:Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster), Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).