Metcalfe: Wales will respond after defeat in U20 Summer Series
But tries from Irish quintet Sophie Barrett, Robyn O'Connor, Hannah Clarke, Jemima Adams-Verling and Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton ultimately put the game out Wales's reach at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly.
However, Metcalfe insisted her charges won't dwell too much on the defeat and that they will work hard to improve before they next take to the field.
'We're Welsh, we'll be sure to keep going,' said the 18-year-old. 'I'm really proud of the girls for what they did today.
'We left everything out on the field, and I can't doubt anyone's intent. We are a really young side, so there's a few things we need to freshen up on, but I'm really proud of our efforts.'
😎 A recap of the results from yesterday's opening games in the #U6NSummerSeries pic.twitter.com/nB4iMjIsGX — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 6, 2025
Both sides matched each other's intensity in the tackle during the opening exchanges, but Ireland were able to withstand Wales' early pressure as the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes.
Barrett and O'Connor gave Ireland a 10-0 lead midway through the first half, but Wales regrouped well, halving the deficit on the half-hour mark when Chiara Pearce, fresh off the bench, offloaded to the charging Picton-Powell to dot down.
Clarke finished a cross-field Irish move seven minutes into the second 40 minutes, but Wales refused to give up the ghost, hitting back five minutes later as Singleton crashed over in the corner following good work to get the ball out wide on the right to reduce the gap back to five points.
Metcalfe explained it was passages of play such as the one Singleton scored from that Wales can take as one of the positive from the clash.
'I think the way we move the ball [was pleasing],' she continued. 'Our intent too and the way we were running on the ball, we're working really hard, but it's just about the little bits to finish things off now. We can definitely do it.'
Amidst the driving rain, Adams-Verling, named Player of the Match, re-established Ireland's two-score buffer on 58 minutes before O'Sullivan-Sexton's late effort rounded off the scoring.
Wales will be back in action on 11 July when they take on Scotland in the second match of the competition.
Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at sixnationsrugby.com/u6n and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
18 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Redemption, karma… There's only one jockey who makes sense on Field Of Gold with Colin Keane set to be banned
It looks like No1 Colin Keane could miss the big Goodwood ride MATT CHAPMAN Redemption, karma… There's only one jockey who makes sense on Field Of Gold with Colin Keane set to be banned REDEMPTION and karma are wonderful things not always experienced by all. John & Thady Gosden are now likely to have the chance of putting their anger to one side and giving Kieran Shoemark the chance of redemption. 2 Juddmonte's retained rider Colin Keane is set to miss the ride on superstar Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood later this month due to a whip ban Credit: Getty 2 Matt Chapman reckons this is the perfect chance for John & Thady Gosden to give their former jockey Kieran Shoemark the ride... even if Oisin Murphy is more likely Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And in doing so the handlers themselves can gain karma and peace! None of you will be surprised I'm talking Field Of Gold, of course, who is set to run in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 30. Shoemark lost the ride when he was defeated by a narrow margin in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. That came on the back of a brilliant display by both jockey and horse in the Craven Stakes, when John Gosden was keen to praise Shoemark for his efforts. Subsequently, Colin Keane rode Field Of Gold to facile successes in the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes. But Keane is this week likely to be given a whip ban which will rule him out of the Sussex. I'd be close to certain that owners Juddmonte would have no issue with Shoemark on top. Why would they? The rider has a tremendous record for the outfit over the last 12 months, and of course was brilliant at Goodwood in the Nassau when Lady Bowthorpe banged in her Group 1 in 2021. That day owner Emma Banks showed loyalty and decency. And she was rewarded in spades. Of course I'm not totally crazy, and the chances are the Gosdens will refuse to let Shoemark do what is so obvious. Indeed, it's more than likely Oisin Murphy will be called up to ride Field Of Gold should Keane be absent. Rumours abounded that Murphy had, actually, been pencilled in to ride Field Of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas before Keane was put up as the Juddmonte main man. But I can't back that up with any substance. It might have just been a rumour. Whatever the case, on a humane level Shoemark and Field Of Gold back together in the Sussex just seems the right way to go for all concerned. I won't hold my breath, but come on, people, you know it makes sense. Meanwhile… Much has already been said and written about the Coral-Eclipse since Saturday, but it will long remain one of the most insane races I have ever seen. I spoke to more than one of the connections of Delacroix who were convinced he would be making all. I certainly didn't hear anyone suggest Delacroix would be ridden for a turn of foot! And of course he wasn't, for all that is what he eventually needed. Delacroix was last turning for home. OMG! And who has ever thought Sosie was a front-runner? He was in the Eclipse, which was odd in the extreme. The one thing you know about French raiders is they mostly have a closing kick. Just a bizarre race, and if you have studied his body language to any degree at numerous moments Ryan Moore looked fairly miffed with how things were going. I wonder at what point Moore really thought – 'I might just go and win this'. At a guess, only once Delacroix was pulled out wide and after a few strides started to get going. But at that stage Ombudsman was clear albeit he had probably been in front for long enough. As a form guide for the future, it's hard to say the Eclipse will be a reliable one. But what you can say is that Delacroix must be some machine. Looking ahead I wonder if one day he will end up in the Breeders' Cup Mile or Turf? Which one would you pick for him? Time will tell… FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Herald Scotland
23 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Niamh Gallagher hails Ireland's resolves in Wales win
Niamh Gallagher hailed the way Ireland were able to withstand early Welsh pressure during her side's battling 27-10 win over the hosts in their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series opener. Tries from Sophie Barrett, Robyn O'Connor, Hannah Clarke, Jemima Adams-Verling and Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton were enough to ultimately seal the triumph for the team in green, but they did not have things all their own way at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. Ireland spent much of the opening 10 minutes inside their own 22 thanks to a period of early Welsh dominance. Wales also twice got themselves within five points of their opponents, at 10-5 and 15-10, through scores from Savannah Picton-Powell and Seren Singleton. Full time in Wales and it's an opening win for the @PwCIreland Ireland Women's U-20 in the @SixNationsU20 Summer Series 👏🏼 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 5, 2025 But after staving off a sustained assault on their tryline, Ireland responded by taking the lead midway through the first half when prop Barrett dived over off the back of a rolling maul. And Gallagher, who played in Clarke for Ireland's third try during the second half, was delighted that their defensive efforts allowed them to kick-on towards victory. 'Getting a win to start the tournament is unbelievable, start as we mean to go on,' she said. 'There's so much more to see from us. It was a tough one, we were in our half for most of that game. 'We just thought we needed to get it out of our area and play up field. And then when we did get it up there, we showed them what we could do.' Amidst the driving rain, the encounter proved to be a physical test for both sides, with neither team letting up in the tackle. It was a gameplan Gallagher expected from her team's opponents and explained the importance of both forcing Wales into making errors, whilst keeping their own standards high. 'We knew that Wales were going to be a physical team,' she continued. 'We wanted to match that and make sure that we kept the ball and play on our terms. 'It was tough that Wales did stick to being dominant, but we knew we had to get up in their faces and try and make them make mistakes. 'We knew we had to be clinical in our own areas too and I think we were able to do that.' Next up for Ireland is a clash against France, who also won their opening match beating Italy 46-5, and Gallagher believes her side have got the tools to more than put up a fight. She added: 'We've got an excellent back three that we just want to get the ball out to. 'We're also getting there when it comes to securing our breakdowns which is good but of course, we can always look to improve our defence.'
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Lions name strong team to face Brumbies - but only two Scots get nod
Farrell picks his XV with Wallabies in mind Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Andy Farrell has named his strongest British and Irish team Lions team yet with Wednesday's match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra shaping up to be a dry run for the first Test against Australia - but only two Scots have been included. Maro Itoje leads the side as part of a second-row partnership with Joe McCarthy and across the starting XV there are picks considered first choice, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Scotland stand-off Finn Russell. His international teammate Blair Kinghorn starts at 15, with no place for centres Huw Jones or Sione Tuipulotu. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Providing X-factor on the bench are back-rower Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are ready to take on the Wallabies on July 19. Scotland stand-off Finn Russell starts for the Lions. | Getty Images Pollock was due to start Saturday's shaky 21-10 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs but withdrew shortly before kick-off because of a tight calf, an injury that has now healed. The all-Ireland combination of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have been chosen in the centres and Kinghorn makes his first start at full-back having joined the squad late because of his Top 14 duties with Toulouse. Tommy Freeman and James Lowe are the favourites to fill the wings against Australia in Brisbane and both are present, with Mack Hansen adding back-three cover from the bench against his former Super Rugby franchise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Decisions made in the pack Ellis Genge has been the form loosehead prop on tour while on the other side of the scrum three-times Lions tourist Tadhg Furlong is given another start to develop his match-fitness at the end of a season that has been marred by calf and hamstring injuries. Dan Sheehan is named at hooker. Normally an unstoppable force, Tom Curry has yet to find his stride Down Under but he is handed the openside duties in a back row that offers an important line-out option in the shape of Ollie Chessum. Jack Conan is included at number eight and it appears as though Chessum will supply second-row cover in the event of injury to Itoje and McCarthy given flankers Josh van der Flier and Pollock are the inclusions on the bench. Lions head coach Andy Farrell. | Getty Images Ireland provide eight players to the starting XV, England five and Scotland two with no place in the 23 for Wales openside Jac Morgan. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Brumbies are the strongest team the Lions will face in Australia outside of the Tests after reaching the semi-finals of Super Rugby, where they lost 37-17 to the Chiefs on June 14. 'In 2013 the Brumbies beat the Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us,' head coach Farrell said. 'It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his home town and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old team-mates.' Lions team to play Brumbies
