Despite a cold night and a testing eastern wind for both players and spectators alike, a bumper crowd packed the Athlone stadium where Ireland have built up a wonderful record. Wales had first use of the diagonal breeze, yet Ireland made all the early running. However skipper Patrick Jackson missed two penalties inside the opening five minutes, the second effort rebounding into play off an upright. Twice the home side ignored overlaps and thus failed to punish Wales who then took the lead totally against the run of play when outhalf Sam Davies dropped a tidy 20th minute goal.
Jackson missed his fourth placekick on 71 minutes, this one his most kickable. Then Layden made another typical surge forward but didn’t use his over-lapping support. However, this put Ireland in a good position and further pressure earned Jackson a drop goal opportunity which he coolly took after 73 minutes to redeem himself. Then substitute Luke McGrath sealed the win with a splendid 76th minute drop goal to ensure Ireland got off to a winning start.
Buccaneers own Daniel Qualter will partner up with Iain Henderson in the second row while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely is named in the back row.
Centre JJ Hanarahan makes a return to the side from last year along with Sam Coghlan-Murray who has been named on the wing.
Kieran Marmion will take up the scrum half position and will partner Paddy Jackson who has been named at outhalf. Jackson will also captain this year's side.
Speaking ahead of the opening game Ruddock said "We are all looking forward to the start of the 6 Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class and we are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself."
Ireland U-20 v Wales U-20 (Dubarry Park, Athlone - Friday 3rd February 2012, Kick-off 7.05pm)
15 - Shane Layden (Buccaneers - Connacht)
14 - Barry Daly (UCD - Leinster)
13 - Foster Horan (Lansdowne - Leinster)
12 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians - Munster)
11 - Sam Coghlan-Murray (UCD - Leinster)
10 - Patrick Jackson (Dungannon - Ulster) Captain
9 - Kieran Marmion (Corinthians - Connacht)
1 - Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch - Ulster)
2 - Niall Scannell (Dolphin - Munster)
3 - Peter Reilly (Lansdowne - Leinster)
4 - Iain Henderson (QUB - Ulster)
5 - Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers - Connacht)
6 - Conor Gilsenan (UCD - Leinster)
7 - Aaron Conneely (Corinthians - Connacht)
8 - Jack Conan (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Replacements:
16 - Des Merrey (Clontarf - Leinster)
17 - James Rael (Garryowen - Munster)
18 - Jake Cawley (XXX - Leinster)
19 - Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne - Leinster)
20 - Jordan Coghlan (UCD - Leinster)
21 - Luke McGrath (UCD - Leinster)
22 - Cathal Marsh (Dublin University - Leinster)
23 - Christopher Farrell (Dungannon - Ulster)
Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon, Mike McCarthy, Brett Wilkinson all made the starting XV while versatile prop Ronan Loughney will look to impact from the bench. The call-ups are just reward for recent fine form and though Connacht had to wait until their final pool game in the Heineken Cup to earn their first victory there have been some exceptional individual performances along the way.
In the forwards, Damien Varley starts at hooker and beside him experienced Connacht loose head prop Brett Wilkinson packs down with Stephen Archer, who has recently broken into the Munster match squad and been part of his provinces Heineken Cup run.
A dominant Connacht pack pinned Harlequins deep in their own half and with a gale blowing straight down the pitch 'Quins were unable to kick for territory. The pressure showed after just 4 minutes when Niall O'Connor found his range with a 35m penalty after Harlequins were caught offside. The visitors struck back straight away with a combination of pick and drives before unleashing the backs from right to left, Sam Smith scoring in the corner after referee Nigel Owens had to consult the TMO. Nick Evans missed the conversion and 2 minutes later Niall O'Connor added his second penalty to put the home side back in front at 6-5. Superb breakdown work from Connacht earned them another penalty after just 15 minutes and Niall O'Connor extended the lead to 4 points with his kick.
The side sees just one change from the team that took on Toulouse in Stade Ernest Wallon last weekend with Ronan Loughney replacing Dylan Rogers at tighthead prop. Loughney was called into the Ireland Wolfhounds squad yesterday along with 4 other Connacht players, Brett Wilkinson, John Muldoon, Gavin Duffy and Mike McCarthy while Tiernan O?Halloran was called in as an additional player to the Senior Ireland squad.
