In their respective Six Nations openers tonight, the Irish women squeezed by the Scots thanks to a very late try, and the U20's followed suit a couple of hours later.
The women's performance was more than a bit shaky and might provoke serious soul-searching. The Scottish women have been whitewashed six years running and haven't won a Six Nations game since 2010. Yet they almost won this evening.
The U20's seemed much more content with their narrow victory. Like the women, they went behind early on and trailed for most of the match. Scotland led 13-6 at half-time. Tadhg McElroy went over early in the second half but Scotland wrestled back the advantage with two penalties.
With nine minutes remaining, Ireland battered at the Scottish defence inside the 22. Pick and go after pick and go after pick and go. The tremendous move arrived at a satisfying conclusion with Lansdowne flanker Paul Boyle picking up at close range, spinning and touching down. The conversion was landed.
