WALES Under-20s beat their Irish counterparts 19-12 in Colwyn Bay thanks to their strong scrum, a majestic try and another all-action display by Newport Gwent Dragons openside Ollie Griffiths.

Wales started the tournament with a bang by beating world champions England at Parc Eirias but then suffered a pair of disappointments on their travels to Scotland and France.

That meant their title hopes were gone – the English and French will tussle for first place – but they needed to get back on track in the preparation for the summer’s Junior World Championship.

Wales opened the scoring through the right boot of fly-half Jarrod Evans only for opposite number Ross Byrne to swiftly level up.

The hosts, with Dragons flanker Griffiths to the fore as he had been in the three previous fixtures, just about had the upper hand and opted to kick to the corner after a quarter only to be repelled by resolute Irish defence.

But they led a nip-and-tuck encounter 9-6 approaching half-time thanks to Evans penalties either side of a Byrne three-pointer and then scored a cracker.

Captain Rory Thornton secured turnover ball on halfway and wonderful support play and offloading by number eight Jon Fox, full-back Joe Gage and wing Joshua Adams led to a try by centre Owen Watkin that Evans converted for a 16-6 advantage.

Wales’ scrum dominance allowed Evans to make it 19-6 only for Byrne to respond with a brace to put the game back in the balance in the final quarter at 19-12.

A magnificent last-ditch tackle by the Griffiths, who was as influential in defence as he was with ball in hand, denied Munster wing Stephen Fitzgerald when the line was at his mercy with five minutes left and Wales held on.

Wales scorers: try – O Watkin; conversion – J Evans; penalties – J Evans (4)

Ireland scorers: penalties – R Byrne (4)

Star man: Ollie Griffiths