CENTRE SAM BERMAN scored three tries in Ireland’s 55-15 bonus-point win against Italy in Cape Town on Saturday. France began their World Rugby U20 Championship title defence in the best possible fashion when they scored seven tries in a 49-12 win against Spain in the first game staged at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In the following fixture, Ireland made a similar statement of intent after dotting down eight times in a rousing attacking performance.
Italy responded to an early Irish try with one of their own. Flyhalf Martino Pucciariello slotted a conversion and a penalty to steer his team into a five-point lead. Ireland struck back almost immediately, as a slick interchange culminated in a powerful finish by No 8 Luke Murphy.
With the Ireland forwards starting to assert their dominance, captain Evan O’Connell turned down a kickable penalty in favour of an attacking lineout on the Italy tryline. Ireland lost possession at the ensuing set piece, but made amends via a turnover that resulted in a try for the skipper. Flyhalf Jack Murphy slotted a difficult conversion to extend his team’s lead to nine points.
Ireland continued to boss the gainline battle, and continued to convert possession into territory and points. A lineout deep in the Italy 22 culminated in a try for Berman, after the centre cut back to beat the defence. After 27 minutes, the four-try bonus point was in the bag.
Berman dotted down again in the 37th minute, and ensured that Ireland went t.
