Wales started their defence of the U16 Four Nations with a comprehensive 44-12 win over Ireland at Terenure College in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

The victory was Wales’ fourth out of four over Ireland at this level and it was an excellent performance from the young Welsh.

However it didn’t go all their way at the start. Tommy Rhodes broke and kicked well for Ryan Crawford to gather and score. Rhodes converted and Ireland were 6-0 up on eight minutes.

But that was as good as it was going to get for the home side. On 16 minutes, Wales won a repeat set, then a penalty and Morgan Marozzelli, one of just five players remaining from last year’s side, scored in the corner. Matthew Clatworthy converted to level the scores.

Then eight minutes later, following an Ireland error, Joseph Johnson scored in the corner to give Wales the lead.

As soon as Ireland regained the ball, they gave it away. Ralf Roberts intercepted and ran to the line with Clatworthy converting.

And just before half-time, it was a flying finish from Roberts in the corner after running through. The try wasn’t converted and Wales led 20-6 at the break.

Two minutes after half-time, Wales captain Samuel Dickenson was the next Wales player on the board and Clatworthy converted.

From kick-off, Dickenson raced through again with Clatworthy again adding the goal. Wales were 32-6 up with only five minutes gone in the second half.

Three minutes later, Evan Williams crossed after doing well to keep the ball alive. Clatworthy converted.

And then on 51 minutes, Dickenson fed Johnson scores for him to score his second and Clatworthy converted again.

That was it for the Wales scoring. Ireland did manage a try back on the hour through Sean Tworney after a brief spell of pressure. Rhodes converted and after that, the defences from both sides remained strong, but Wales had done more than enough for a big win.

Ireland: John Reynolds, Setanta Gleeson, Mitch Ireland, Eugene Tinubu, Ryan Crawford, Finley Dearnley, Tommy Rhodes, Jack Brown, Matthew Tootill, James Rodgers, Andy Lee, Jamie Coop, Zak Brand. Subs: Sean Twomey, Paddy White, Oliver Joliffe, Joseph Gill, Callum Dooley, Oscar Mulleady, Conor Meadows.

Tries: Crawford (8), Twomey (60)
Goals: Rhodes 2/2

Wales: Samuel Dickenson, Joseph Johnson, Harley Smith, Morgan Marozzelli, Ralf Roberts, Evan Williams, Matthew Clatworthy, Jake Sheppard, Finlay Walker, Isaac Holdsworth, William Mather, Joshua Harding, Harvey Williams. Subs: Oliver Rees, Elis Thomas, Mason Daniels, Charlie Thomas, Owain Martin, Kavan Phillips

Tries: Marozzelli (16), Johnson (24, 51), Roberts (28, 38), Dickenson (42, 44), E Williams (48)
Goals: Clatworthy: 6/8