Ireland Schools beaten by Wales
The Ireland Schools team fell to their second defeat of the Four-Nations tournament in Gloucester when they were beaten 35-14 by Wales today.
The Ireland management made nine personnel changes to the starting side that lost to England and similar to the England game, Ireland stormed into the lead.
They put Wales under huge pressure in the first half and led 9-3 after half an hour thanks to three penalties from Andrew Burke.
But a late try by Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny with six minutes left in the half, which he converted himself, saw Wales go into the break leading 10-9.
That try turned out to be a defining moment, as the Ireland team seemed deflated after conceding that score.
The momentum in the second half swung towards Wales and just two minutes into the half Wales fullback Daniel Evans crossed for an unconverted try.
Halfpenny added two penalties, but Ireland still were in the game before two late converted tries by Wales from Ryan Bevinton and Rhys Webb put the result beyond Ireland.
Ireland did cross in the dying minutes through David Mongan, with Burke missing the conversion.
Ireland will play Scotland in their final game of the tournament on Friday in Cheltenham RFC at 2pm.
The Ireland team will be named tomorrow.
