Tries a plenty in both halves – as both teams claimed bonus-point tries – a game that was in the balance for most of the night, saw the hosts edge home by three points in the end.

Ireland score first

Ireland took an early lead with a relatively easy penalty kick for Garryowen’s Tom Wood. The Munster player comfortably slotted over from directly in front of the post for 3-0.

3-0
Ireland out-half Tom Wood claims the opening score of the game as the hosts take an early lead
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Barrett scores Ireland’s opening try

Winger Derry Moloney opened the Italian defence as he burst through the visitor’s side. Beginning in his own half, the Leinster speedster was supported by Noah Byrne and then by Christopher Barrett.

With Moloney offloading to Byrne, Barrett then received possession of the ball, and had the task of touching down for the game’s opening try. A second successful kick of the night from Tom Wood – this time, a conversion – pushed Ireland out to a 13-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes played on the clock.

10-0
Scrum-half Christopher Barrett with the opening try of the game
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Ireland defence breached

Despite some moments of both poor passing and substandard handling, the Italians were next on the score sheet. Winger Luca Rossa was on the receiving end of an Azzurri move as the Irish defence was breached for the first time tonight. Francesco Braga added the extras for the visitors, leaving Ireland with a 10-7 lead approaching the end of the first quarter of play.

Winger Ryan gets on score sheet

The hosts laid a charge to the Italian line following a powerful break from centre Rob Carney. With Ireland pummelling the defensive line, winger Daniel Ryan eventually touched down in the furthest corner from the Main Stand.

15-7
Daniel Ryan with Ireland’s second try as the Italian defence can’t hold out
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

With a more difficult conversion attempt – right on the side line – Wood was unsuccessful this time, meaning Ireland had a 15-7 lead.

Converted try and penalty give Italians half-time advantage

Italy struck back immediately with a pushover try that saw hooker Valerio Pelli crash over for a five-pointer. A favourable position gave Braga a relatively easy effort – which he converted, as the Irish lead was reduced to a single point.

15-14
Again Italy respond well to a setback, hooker Valerio Pelli powering over from a dominant rolling maul
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

With the half-time whistle close, Italy won a penalty which Braga kicked to give the Italian side an unexpected 17-15 lead at the interval.

Half-time: 15-17
Italy take the lead with the final act of the half, Francesca Braga maintaining his 100% record off the tee in Cork tonight
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Half-time: Ireland U20 15  Italy U20 17

The home side claimed the first score of the second half. Excellent teamwork and understanding between centre Rob Carney and Derry Moloney saw the winger score.

With Carney in possession as he made rapid progress from his own half of the field to the opposition’s, the Cashel RFC man kept the Italian defence guessing as to whether he would go for the line himself or pass out to Moloney. Ultimately he did neither, as a nicely placed grubber kick was successfully chased by Moloney who scored in the corner to the delight of the home fans.

Tom Wood was unsuccessful with his effort – his second missed kicked of the evening.

20-17
A huge hit from Tom Wood turns Italy over before Derry Moloney shows blistering pace to put Ireland back in front
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Pelli’s second try

With the Italians enjoying a period of domination on the field, Valerio Pelli claimed his second try of the night. As Italy made numerous efforts to cross the try-scoring line, the brawn and strength of the Mogliano Veneto Rugby player was required to complete the task. Kicker Braga missed at the posts for the first time, as the Italians held a slender 22-20 advantage.

20-22
Once again the Italians show their strength with the rolling maul, hooker Valerio Pelli with his second try of the night. The visitors back in front
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Bonus-point try for Josh Neil

Ireland soon fought back as they noticeably upped the tempo. With the Azzurri defence penalised near their own line, Ireland reacted quickly and three quick motions saw Josh Neil of Leinster in for the bonus-point try.

27-22
Josh Neill secures a bonus point for Ireland by barging over from close range
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Wood kicked – from directly in front of the posts – for a 27-22 lead, but the Munster number 10 soon extended this advantage, as a successful penalty kick – which saw Italian Davide Sette sin-binned – gave Ireland a little breathing space on the score board, 30-22, with the game inside the final quarter.

30-22
Italy’s Davide Sette is sent to the sin bin and Tom Wood converts the resulting penalty.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026

Replacement Jacopo de Rossi gave the Italians hope of taking the victory in this game when his teammates’ powerful maul allowed him touch down for a try, his side’s bonus-point five-pointer. Braga, who had been so successful with his kicking in the opening period, missed his second of this half, as Ireland faced into the final 10 minutes with a slender three-point advantage, an advantage they would ultimately maintain.

Final score: Ireland U20 30  Italy U20 27

Ireland U20 Team

15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster), 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/ Munster), 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster).

1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain), 4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), 7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).

Replacements:

16. Rían Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/ Munster), 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), 19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), 21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).

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Ireland U20s Squad Named to Face South Africa in Cork

The Ireland Men’s U20s, sponsored by PwC, have named a strong matchday squad for Friday night’s challenge match against South Africa U20s at Virgin Media Park in Cork (Kick-off 7.30pm).

Head Coach Andrew Browne has assembled an extended panel for a week-long training camp in Cork ahead of the new season, with several returning internationals included in the 23-man squad.

Leinster prop Sami Bishti will captain the side, with Charlie Molony, Tom Wood and Donnacha McGuire all back in green after impressing during last season’s U20 Six Nations campaign.

Former Dublin minor footballer and current Trinity College top try-scorer Noah Byrne starts at full-back, while the squad also features a blend of experience and exciting new talent from across the provinces.

Friday’s fixture offers a valuable early test for Browne and his coaching team as preparations ramp up for the 2026 U20 Six Nations, which kicks off in February. The match will allow the coaching staff to assess squad depth, combinations, and fitness levels against one of world rugby’s top age-grade sides.

Tickets are available now via
Ticketmaster.ie, and the match will be streamed live on
IrishRugby+, with coverage supported by PwC, the official sponsor of the Ireland U20s.

Ireland Men’s U20s Matchday Squad vs South Africa U20s

Friday, 7.30pm – Virgin Media Park, Cork

• 15. Noah Byrne (DUFC/Leinster)
• 14. Charlie Molony (UCD/Leinster)
• 13. Sean Walsh (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
• 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster)
• 11. Daniel Ryan (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
• 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen/Munster)
• 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster)

• 1. Max Doyle (UCD/Leinster)
• 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
• 3. Sami Bishti (UCD/Leinster) (captain)
• 4. Donnacha McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
• 5. Dylan McNeice (UCD/Leinster)
• 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen/Munster)
• 7. Arthur Ashmore (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
• 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

Replacements

• 16. Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
• 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
• 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster)
• 19. Sean Walsh (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)
• 20. Michael O’Sullivan (UCC/Munster)
• 21. Fergus Callington (Durham University/IQ Rugby)
• 22. Conor O’Shaughnessy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
• 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (DUFC/Leinster)

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Munster Name 38-Man Squad for Pre-Season Clash with Bath at Virgin Media Park

Munster Rugby have announced a 38-man squad for Friday’s highly anticipated pre-season clash against English Premiership champions Bath at Virgin Media Park.

Kick-off is 7pm, with tickets available now via munsterrugby.ie. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live on Access Munster, with exclusive live streaming.

Five Ireland internationals — Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Alex Kendellen and Michael Milne — are set to make their first appearances of the new campaign. Ahern, Kendellen, and Milne will wear the red jersey for the first time since making their Ireland debuts this summer.

This fixture will be an extended 90-minute contest, with breaks after 30 and 60 minutes instead of a traditional half-time.

Two separate Munster line-ups have been named to split the game-time evenly, with a further eight players listed as replacements.

Supporters will also get their first look at new signings JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly, and Conor Ryan in their first home appearance since joining during the summer.

Young talents Conor Bartley and Academy flanker Michael Foy are in line for their senior Munster debuts, while Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, and Ronan Foxe will make their first appearances of the 2025/26 campaign.

Six Munster Rugby Academy players are included: Michael Foy, Ben O’Connor, Gordon Wood, Ronan Foxe, Max Clein, and Seán Edogbo, highlighting the province’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.

Veteran hooker Niall Scannell will once again captain Munster, as he did against Gloucester, while Craig Casey will lead the side for the first time when he takes the field.

The squad will also showcase Munster’s brand-new adidas home jersey, giving fans a first look ahead of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

Munster Teams for Bath Clash

Team 1:
Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (C), Oli Jager; Evan O’Connell, Tom Ahern; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Team 2:
Mike Haley; Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Conor Ryan, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements:
Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Conor Bartley, Ronan Foxe, Michael Foy, Seán Edogbo, Paddy Patterson, Shay McCarthy.

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