\n The hosts showed determination throughout the physical encounter, reducing Ireland\u2019s advantage to 10-5 and 15-10 during the match through scores from Savannah Picton-Powell and Seren Singleton.\n<\/p>\n
\n But tries from Irish quintet Sophie Barrett, Robyn O\u2019Connor, Hannah Clarke, Jemima Adams-Verling and Ellie O\u2019Sullivan-Sexton ultimately put the game out Wales\u2019s reach at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, Metcalfe insisted her charges won\u2019t dwell too much on the defeat and that they will work hard to improve before they next take to the field.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe’re Welsh, we\u2019ll be sure to keep going,\u201d said the 18-year-old. \u201cI’m really proud of the girls for what they did today.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe 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\u2019m really proud of our efforts.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n\n \ud83d\ude0e A recap of the results from yesterday’s opening games in the #U6NSummerSeries<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nB4iMjIsGX<\/a>\n <\/p>\n
\u2014 Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 6, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n Both sides matched each other\u2019s intensity in the tackle during the opening exchanges, but Ireland were able to withstand Wales\u2019 early pressure as the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes.\n<\/p>\n
\n Barrett and O\u2019Connor 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI think the way we move the ball [was pleasing],\u201d she continued. \u00a0\u201cOur 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Amidst the driving rain, Adams-Verling, named Player of the Match, re-established Ireland\u2019s two-score buffer on 58 minutes before O\u2019Sullivan-Sexton\u2019s late effort rounded off the scoring.\n<\/p>\n
\n Wales will be back in action on 11 July when they take on Scotland in the second match of the competition.\n<\/p>\n
\n Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women\u2019s Summer Series \u2013 where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at\u00a0sixnationsrugby.com\/u6n<\/a>\u00a0and on Instagram\u00a0@u20sixnations.<\/a><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n