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Nathan Doak shines as Ireland...

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Nathan Doak shines as Ireland u20s pick up 10th straight Six Nations win


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Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak ran the show as Ireland's u20s made it two out of two in the 2021 Six Nations Championship in Wales.

The defending champions had far too much for the hosts Wales, running out 40-12 winners at the Cardiff Arms Park; a 10th Six Nations win in a row for the Ireland u20s.

Nathan Doak - son of former Ulster head coach Neil - starred throughout with a try, three penalties and four conversions for a 20-point haul.

Ireland dominated the early stages, but it took them until the 15th minute to open the scoring, Connacht centre Cathal Forde taking the direct approach to the tryline, hammering a crash ball over for the first try of the game off the back of a 5m scrum. Nathan Doak tapped over the easiest of conversions to make it 7-0.

10 minutes later the lead was doubled; winger Chris Cosgrave running a great line off Leinster teammate Jamie Osborne, before running in under the posts. Doak converted once again, and his penalty shortly after made it 17-0 right on the half hour mark.

The Ulster scrumhalf raised the tempo even further with a try of his own early in the second half, linking up with Jamie Osborne to score a sublime counter-attacking effort, Ireland's third try of the game.

An Alex Mann try finally got Wales on the board, and while Doak kept Ireland ticking over with a penalty, a second Welsh try on the hour mark - this time from Carrick McDonough - brought the scores to 25-12 heading into the final quarter.

Ireland responded well to the second Welsh try, and Doak brought his personal tally up to 18 with his third penalty of the game, before substitute Daniel Okeke of Munster finished off an excellent maul to score Ireland's fourth try and bring up the bonus point.

Captain Alex Kendellen finished off the job late on with a sniping dive from close range.

Next up for Ireland will be arguably their toughest game of the competition, as they take on England next Thursday.

Earlier in the day, England made it two bonus point wins from two with a 31-12 win against Scotland at the Arms Park, as Dan Lancaster - son of Leinster senior coach Stuart - impressing in the centre for England.

Meanwhile, Italy came within inches of pulling off a sensational victory against France, sub scrumhalf Alfredi Manfredi seeing his 79th minute kick shave the posts and go wide, as France held on to win 13-11.

Ireland scorers:

Tries: Cathal Forde, Chris Cosgrave, Nathan Doak, Daniel Okeke, Alex Kendellen

Conversions: Nathan Doak x4

Penalties: Nathan Doak x3

Team of Us. Everyone In.

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