Scotland rounded off their U18 Six Nations Festival on a superb high as they edged Ireland in a lung-busting encounter at Kingsholm.
Ireland started on top and got first-half tries through Harry O’Riordan and Alex Soroka, with Scotland getting on the board through Scott Clelland and centre Scott King.
The Scots trailed 20-14 at the break but took the lead as Ben Muncaster went over twice, either side of a Shane Jennings score.
Cian Whooley and Chris Cosgrave kicked points for Ireland but back came Scotland through Cameron Furley before Whooley added a try – there was still time for Finlay Callaghan to skip into the corner and Harry Paterson to nail the crucial kick to win it.
Ireland started the stronger in Gloucestershire and played territory well to pin Scotland in their half, grabbing the first try as Cosgrave broke through the line before passing to scrum-half Ben Murphy, who in turn fed O’Riordan.
Cosgrave kicked the conversion but Scotland eventually found their way into the game, putting on a spell of pressure and then barging over the line through hooker Clelland.
Paterson added the extras and Cosgrave struck another penalty before Ireland went over for their second, with tireless lock Soroka pick-and-go’ing from a loose ruck to dive over.
Cosgrave again added the conversion before momentum swung back the other way with an excellent try, Scottish centre Matt Currie breaking the line before offloading to Scott King who won the footrace to the line.
Ireland led 20-14 at the break but their opponents came out in determined fashion after the interval, piling on the pressure before No.8 Muncaster held off two tackles to clamber over.
Replacement centre for Ireland Jennings then scored a superb individual effort to fend off two tackles on the way to the line before Muncaster grabbed his second.
After a drop-goal from Whooley and penalty from Cosgrave Scotland were next over as Furley picked off a loose pass, Ireland then punching back with an excellent 50 metre score for Whooley.
With the clock in the red Callaghan found space down the right and dotted the ball down as close as possible to the posts, with Paterson holding his nerve to slot the crucial conversion.
