Scotland under-20s were outgunned by Ireland as their Six Nations Women’s Summer Series campaign ended with a whimper on Thursday afternoon.
There were some good bits to take away from the opening defeat to England and, after a disastrous start, some plus points from later on in the Wales loss, but there was little positive to grab hold of here as the Irish pace and power really hurt the Scots.
At Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ireland got off to a flying start and scored a try early through skipper Jane Neill. Stand-off Ellie O’Sullivan-Sexton converted for 7-0.
From a lineout in the 15th minute, second-row Alma Atagamen then scored Ireland’s second try. O’Sullivan-Sexton converted and it was 14-0.
That was the way it stayed until the end of the first quarter, but just after that nice hands saw winger Freya McColl, who scored two tries off the bench versus Wales, going over in the corner for a try. Centre Lucy MacRae converted and it was 14-7.
That seemed to give Scotland a foothold in proceedings, but in the 26th minute Ireland scored their third try through winger Emily Foley which was unconverted, but they led 19-7.
That was the way it stayed until half-time.
Replacement loosehead prop Louise Tapperell was yellow carded in the 45th minute and, two minutes later, from a lineout drive sub tighthead prop Sophie Barrett went over. O’Sullivan-Sexton converted.
That made it 26-7 and, in the 54th minute, Scotland were briefly down to 13 when centre Nicole Flynn was yellow carded.
Straight away, back-row Neill bagged her second try of the day and O’Sullivan-Sexton converted for 33-7.
Scotland were back to 14 soon after, but it was Ireland who were well in charge and, with 19 minutes to go, sub Tara O’Neill scored an unconverted try and it was 38-7.
Try seven came for Ireland in the 65th minute through speedy sub Robyn O’Connor and although Scotland were soon back to 15 things were all heading one way at 43-7.
The same player scored her second try soon after for 48-7 and late tries from replacements Aoibhe O’Flynn and Saoirse Crowe, both converted by fellow sub Caitriona Finn, finished things at 62-7.
Scotland will travel home having lost three from three and although there will have been plenty of learnings in the last fortnight or so, the last result especially will take some time for many of the players to process – and they will be now aware just how cutthroat rugby can be at the top level.
Scotland under-20 squad that played in the Ireland game
Poppy Mellanby; Emily Norval (V-C), Nicole Flynn, Lucy MacRae, Freya MacColl; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Rianna Darroch; Poppy Fletcher (V-C), Megan Hyland, Eilidh Fleming, Aisha Zameer, Gemma Thomson, Merryn Gunderson, Lily Crisp, Emily Coubrough. Subs: Karis Craig, Louise Tapperell, Megan Riach, Holly Wilson, Sophie Price, Rebekah Douglas, Holly McIntyre, Lisa Brown.
Scotland’s under-20 squad for the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series
Forwards: Emily Coubrough, Karis Craig, Lily Crisp, Eilidh Fleming, Poppy Fletcher, Merryn Gunderson, Megan Hyland, Kaylee McHugh, Sophie Price, Megan Riach, Charlotte Russell, Aicha Sutcliffe, Faye Sutherland, Louise Taperell, Gemma Thomson, Isobel Twigger, Holly Wilson, Aisha Zameer.
Backs: Ceitidh Ainsworth, Lisa Brown, Rianna Darroch, Rebekah Douglas, Nicole Flynn, Scarlett Haddow, Emily Love, Freya MacColl, Lucy MacRae, Holly McIntyre, Poppy Mellanby, Emily Norval.
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Scotland are pictured taking on Ireland at under-20 level in Wales
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