Reigning World Under-19 Champions Ireland were made to work every inch of the way against a formidable Italy in Treviso on Saturday. It took an injury time converted try from second row Damien Browne to finally secure Ireland's victory.

The Italians came into this game on the back of a win against Scotland. However, this was no real indication of their strength as the Scots have been struggling at underage levels for years.

Lansdowne's Gordon Darcy has been the focus of so much attention since his days at Clongowes Wood College. His fourth minute penalty and 20th minute individual try gave the Irish an 8-0 lead at the break.

But, there had been signs of the Italians ability in that first half. Their captain and flanker Del Mazo made his mark three minutes into the second half with a try that was followed by a penalty from out-half Buso.

Darcy kicked Ireland to the lead again, but, the game looked to be heading for a draw when Buso tied it up with a 78th minute penalty. That was before the Irish forwards executed some fine line-out, maul and scrummage work to enable Galwegians' Browne to clinch the game from close in. And Darcy converted for good measure.

Ireland have not seen the last of Italy as they are drawn together in the same group for the World Cup in Wales at the end of March and beginning of April.

Scoring Sequence: 4 mins - G Darcy pen 0-3; 20 mins - Darcy try 0-8; 43 mins - Del Mazo try 5-8; 59 mins - Buso pen 8-8; 68 mins - Darcy pen 8-11; 78 mins - Buso pen 11-11; 82 mins - D Browne try, Darcy con 1118.

Ireland: G Brady; G Hayes, R Murphy, G Darcy, G Rossi; P O'Reilly, M Best; R Flanagan, G Hickie, N Treston; D Browne, D Dillon; D Danaher, J O'Connor, D O'Loughlin. Replacements: M Meehan for O'Reilly; D Spence for Best; S Byrne for Flanagan; A Hickey for O'Loughlin; R McGrath for Treston.