Ireland ended France’s hopes of winning back-to-back Grand Slams – and maintained their own bid for a clean sweep of victories in the RBS Under 20 Six Nations – with a 37-20 victory over the reigning champions at Dubarry Park in Athlone.

Nigel Carolan’s side produced a fine all-round performance to score four tries and claim their first win over the French since they beat them 22-5 at the same venue two years ago. They are now two wins from two in the championship, having also avenged their loss to the French in last year's Junior World Championship, and on course for their first title since 2010.

Outstanding fly-half Ross Byrne had a hand in two of the Irish scores and kicked seven from seven to deservedly claim the man-of-the-match award.

The first try after six minutes saw Byrne combine with Sam Arnold, who offloaded to the supporting Jack Owens. Ireland had to wait half an hour before they crossed the whitewash again, by which time France flanker Sekou Macalu had scored a spectacular solo effort.

Ireland’s second try came about when Arnold’s neat inside pass found winger Stephen Fitzgerald, who showed great pace to accelerate away from the covering defence. Byrne converted both tries and added two penalties with France full-back Thomas Ramos kicking five points in reply to make the half-time score 20-10 to Ireland.

Ireland grabbed their third try three minutes after the break, Byrne making the most of good front foot ball from the forwards to put full-back Billy Dardic away. At 27-10, Ireland had a commanding lead but, all credit to France, they kept going and were rewarded with a try from prop Michael Simutoga. Ramos’ conversion and a subsequent penalty threatened to set up a grandstand finish, but Byrne kept his cool to kick his third penalty and put Ireland two scores ahead.

Garry Ringrose finally put the game to bed on 78 minutes when he intercepted a telegraphed pass from Elliot Roundel and raced home from 55 metres to the delight of the vociferous home crowd.

Marchant delivers the goods

Victory for England over unbeaten Ireland in Donnybrook a week on Friday would throw the title race wide open. England will head to Dublin as one of four teams who have a won one, lost one record from the first two rounds of action after they bounced back from their opening defeat to Wales with a 61-0 rout of Italy.

Jon Callard’s side defied boggy conditions underfoot at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground to run in nine tries in front of a crowd of more than 3,000. Harlequins centre Joe Marchant scored a hat-trick and Northampton wing Howard Packman bagged a brace, while George Perkins, Will Owen, Ellis Genge and Jake Farnworth accounted for the remainder of England’s tries.

“We’re really pleased with the performance from the lads, particularly against a physical and passionate Italian side. The response from last week was spot on and it puts us in a good place as we head into the fallow week. Ireland next up will be a huge test, especially in Dublin, but it’s one we’ll relish,” said Callard.

By George, Scotland end winless run

Wales find themselves in fourth place in the table behind England and France on points difference after losing 36-34 to Scotland in a pulsating game at Galashiels.

A perfect kicking display from George Horne, who landed eight kicks from eight, helped Scotland to claim their first Under 20 Six Nations victory in almost two years.

Wales scored four first-half tries through Tom Phillips, Dafydd Howells, Joshua Adams and Garyn Smith but 14 points from the boot of scrum-half Horne plus Murray McCallum's try kept the hosts within just five points at the break.

A fifth Horne penalty plus converted Lewis Carmichael and Zander Fagerson tries then put Scotland in the driving seat and while Adams' second score of the night made for a nervy finish, the hosts held on to celebrate their first Under 20s Six Nations win since beating Ireland in February 2013.

"This is a massive disappointment. We knew it was going to be difficult up here, but we travelled to Scotland feeling pretty confident," said stand-in Wales captain Ollie Griffiths. "We've got another big game coming up in a few weeks in France and we will have to work hard to put things right."

Netherdale hosts its second fixture of the champinship when Scotland play Italy on 27 February with Wales taking on France in Gaudens the following day.