Conor Dean 6Ns 2018 proof#1

Ireland U20s

Six Nations Championships 2018

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Positive Signs For Ireland Under-20s Despite Bordeaux Defeat 2 February 2018, 10:48 pm :: A stirring second half fight-back from the Ireland Under-20s fell short as fortune favoured France in a 34-24 Six Nations win for the hosts in Bordeaux.

Second half tries from Ulster-capped scrum half Jonny Stewart and debutant Munster Academy winger James McCarthy, coupled with a penalty try, saw Noel McNamara’s new-look side cut the deficit to just three points after trailing 22-3 at half-time.

But late French pressure yielded a clinching try from powerful replacement prop Demba Bamba, and Ireland’s luck was summed up when Harry Byrne missed a last-minute penalty which would have earned them a deserved losing bonus point.

McNamara and his fellow coaches, including Ireland great Paul O’Connell, will take plenty of positives from that second half performance, while also acknowledging that the earlier mistakes need to be ironed out for their first home game against Italy at Donnybrook next Friday (kick-off 7.15pm).

French out-half Romain Ntamack - son of former French star Emile Ntamack - was hugely influential in the opening 40 minutes with a 17-point haul, including two well-taken tries. Busy flanker Ibrahim Diallo also touched down from a clever 26th-minute lineout move.

A lone Byrne penalty had the gap down to 10-3 at one stage, but Ireland, who fell 19 points in arrears by half-time, were well contained by the physical French rush defence until some tactical tweaks saw them make a real contest of it in the third quarter.

New head coach McNamara gave debuts to nine players in the

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starting XV, including six up front, while UCD and Leinster ‘A’ star Tommy O’Brien took on the captaincy role at centre as Ireland targeted their first away win over France at U-20 level since 2012.

However, good hands from the French half-backs released Clément Laporte up the left wing for the first incision, Ireland then leaking a penalty for offside and Ntamack landed the resulting third-minute kick for a 3-0 lead.

The all-Leinster front row of Jordan Duggan, Ronan Kelleher and Jack Aungier were rock solid on France’s first scrum, and after a stray pass from the hosts, Stewart probed well with the boot, gaining some decent territory on the left hand side.

A couple of soft penalties allowed France to get into try-scoring range past the 10-minute mark, and although Ireland sacked the maul and Ulster prospects Matthew Dalton and Aaron Hall led the tackle count, space was created on the right for Ntamack to dart over and convert his own try.

Ireland’s response was encouraging, the maul doing some damage but Jack O’Sullivan was stripped of possession by Arthur Vincent after a strong carry from the UCC number 8, who was the best ground gainer of the Irish forwards.

A promising Irish attack was foiled a few minutes later, skipper O’Brien’s attempted offload in the French 22 being intercepted by full-back Laporte. Nonetheless, loosehead Duggan forced a scrum penalty against Daniel Brennan and Byrne’s right-sided kick opened Ireland’s account.

Poor refereeing by England’s Christophe Ridley, who penalised an Irish player who was held in at a ruck and then missed some interference in midfield by France, allowed les Bleuets to build for a second try. Diallo crashed over in the right corner, profiting from Killian Geraci’s quick tap-down when Ireland expected a maul.

It got worse for McNamara’s charges just a couple of minutes later when the Irish defence was sucked in and Ntamack sliced in between Kelleher and winger Peter Sullivan and had the pace to make the line, to the left of the posts. His well-struck conversion made it 22-3.

Ireland improved as half-time loomed, turnover ball seeing Sullivan kick through up into the 22 and then the forwards forced a scrum with some muscular maul defence. Frustratingly, Aungier was pinged at the scrum and O’Brien, Kelleher and David McCarthy had to stand tall in defence to force a knock-on and avoid a potential bonus point score.

The second half was evenly-balanced until France got on the front foot again, prop Hassane Kolingar barging up towards the

posts before Ireland were able to successfully defend the maul and James McCarthy’s crucial tackle on Pierre-Louis Barassi led to a relieving scrum.

Lively replacement Sean Masterson gave his side a further boost with a well-won penalty at the breakdown, and Ireland soon breathed new life into this exciting Championship opener.

Aungier split the defence with a powerful carry, and from Byrne’s stabbed kick through, Iban Etcheverry tackled Michael Silvester early and referee Ridley awarded a penalty try despite Sullivan and O’Brien both grounding the ball.

The penalties were now coming in Ireland’s favour as France lost their discipline. The hosts successfully defended a maul near the right corner, before the match officials missed a dummy throw by the French hooker Maxime Lamothe.

Ireland used a subsequent penalty to set up another close-in maul and Stewart brilliantly broke from the back to evade Lamothe along the right touchline and dive over in the corner. Byrne swung over an excellent conversion to cut the gap to 22-17 just on the hour mark.

France’s decision to replace some of their key men, including Ntamack and captain Arthur Coville, appeared to be back-firing but luck was on their side when Maxence Lemardelet was ruled not to have knocked on from a kick through and replacement scrum half Jules Gimbert, who had been offside from the initial kick, managed to ground the loose ball for the bonus point try.

10 points was now the difference and Ireland let a gilt-edged maul opportunity go when Thomas Lavault disrupted Jack Dunne at a close-in lineout and forced a turnover. Still, Ireland showed a lot of character and resilience to bounce back with an excellent counter-attacking try. James McCarthy drew in two defenders past halfway and sent O’Brien flying up the left touchline before his return pass put the Munster Academy back racing over for a try to the left of the posts.

Byrne, who was increasingly influential in exposing the space behind the French defence, added a well-struck conversion to give Ireland a real shot at 27-24 down and seven minutes left to play.

Unfortunately, replacement James French was caught offside from a richoceting kick, allowing les Bleuets to turn the screw through their bigger pack. Ireland were hanging on after collapsing a maul and then holding Geraci up soon after, but what appeared to be a knock-on from the French scrum was not whistled up by Ridley, and the pressure told when Bamba forced his way over.

Replacement Louis Carbonel’s crisp conversion took the home side well out of Ireland’s reach at 34-24, and although the visitors

dug their heels in to force a long range penalty in the dying seconds, Byrne nudged his kick just the wrong side of the target.

Ireland U-20s Begin Home Stint At Donnybrook With Bonus Point Win Ireland U20s Italy U20s Ireland U20s 38-34 Italy U20s KO : 19:15 Fri 9th Feb 18 Donnybrook

James McCarthy dives over to score his second try of the nightIreland Under-20 winger James McCarthy dives over to score his second try of the night against Italy and his third of the U-20 Six Nations campaign Ireland U-20s Begin Home Stint At Donnybrook With Bonus Point Win9 February 2018, 09:34 pm ::Match Report By EditorMan-of-the-match James McCarthy’s first half brace of tries sent the Ireland Under-20s on their way to an entertaining 38-34 victory over 14-man Italy at Donnybrook.

Noel McNamara’s youngsters registered their opening U-20 Six Nations success, picking up a bonus point courtesy of six tries, but Italy made them fight all the way despite losing flanker Jacopo Bianchi to a ninth-minute red card.

Bianchi’s reckless tip tackle on Jack Dunne saw him dismissed by Welsh referee Dan Jones, with Tommaso Coppo’s initial intercept try quickly cancelled out by scores from winger James McCarthy (2), Hugh O’Sullivan, Cormac Daly and Peter Sullivan.

Niccolò Cannone responded to reduce the arrears to 31-15 by half-time, but with talismanic Ireland captain Tommy O’Brien, McCarthy and Sean Masterson continuing to impress, a 43rd-minute try from prop Jack Aungier appeared to put the game out of Italy’s reach.

However, a combination of Ireland switching off and the Italians raising their efforts saw them rattle off tries from Damiano Mazza, Antonio Rizzi and Edoardo Iachizzi - the latter coming in the final minute - to earn two bonus points in a frantic finish.

These nations’ respective Under-20s teams have made a habit of close scorelines in recent seasons, a try double from senior new cap Jordan Larmour seeing Ireland win by a single point in last year’s U-20 Six Nations, while Italy returned the favour with a 22-21 pool victory at the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Georgia.

Only 72 seconds had elapsed when out-half Harry Byrne forced a pass on the Irish 10-metre line and Coppo, standing flat, intercepted it to race clear and put five points on the board for the Azzurrini.

However, Ireland were level by the five-minute mark, O’Brien using scrum possession to draw in the defence and put Sullivan tearing through a gap. He fed fellow winger McCarthy, who had touched down against France last week, to finish off in the left corner.

Byrne’s well-struck conversion attempt came off the near post, before Bianchi’s flipping of Dunne was reviewed via the TMO and referee Jones produced his red card, turning the match very much in Ireland’s favour.

McNamara’s side built momentum from their reliable lineout, late inclusion Eoghan Clarke, who came in at hooker for an ill Ronan Kelleher, being central to a muscular maul that gained 15 metres.

Possession was retained and after lock Daly was stopped short, scrum half O’Sullivan sniped over from the ruck for a 14th-minute try.

Ireland had the bonus point tucked away by the 24th minute, Daly reaching over from close range after a flicked O’Brien pass in midfield and some purposeful play from McCarthy as he recovered his own deflected kick. The latter put his name to the fourth try, athletically leaping to gather a favourable bounce of his own chip through.

Byrne landed both conversions to carve open a 26-8 advantage, with his opposite number Antonio Rizzi sandwiching in a penalty goal. Ireland’s attack gave Italy a huge workload in defence, with full-back Michael Silvester offering an increasing threat and O’Brien going very close to nabbing his side’s fifth try.

That score came just a couple of minutes later, a close-in scrum providing the platform for O’Sullivan to break towards the right corner and he connected with Lansdowne winger Sullivan who finished smartly past the covering Coppo.

Italian second row Cannone hit back before the break, cutting Ireland’s lead to 31-15 after a late spell of pressure near the home line, but tighthead Aungier piled over in powerful fashion - following an initial run by Silvester and a Byrne half-break - to keep his side on the track.

With Byrne converting, it was an ideal start to the second period.

23 points was now the margin and the Irish backs were still full of running. Munster Academy member McCarthy was almost away for his third try but he failed to hold onto Byrne’s bouncing crossfield kick on halfway.

Frustratingly for the Irish coaching staff and the home support, it was Italy who took up the running for the remaining half-an-hour as Ireland allowed their intensity drop and they leaked three tries without reply.

A reinforced defence will be required for the visit of Wales in two weeks’ time as the Italians, despite their numerical advantage, found it too easy to score when within striking range.

Playing to their strengths with senior coach Conor O’Shea watching on from the stand, the visitors mauled right up to the whitewash before centre Mazza produced a muscular finish past Sullivan in the left corner.

That unconverted third try was followed by a full seven-pointer for the bonus point, early in the final quarter. Niccolò Casilio kicked off the try of the night from a 63rd-minute scrum, breaking on the short side and brilliant hands in midfield released outhalf Rizzi to score out wide on the left. The try scorer also added a textbook conversion.

Suddenly, amid a barnstorming fight-back from their opponents, Ireland were breathing heavier with the scoreboard showing 38-27. They thought they had the clinching try within their grasp with a quarter of an hour remaining, yet a slight foot in touch from Silvester denied O’Brien a deserved try at the end of a free-flowing attack along the left wing.

Ireland had all eight replacements on the pitch for the closing stages, with UCD’s Ronan Foley, Patrick Patterson and Charlie Ryan joining Wanderers clubman Clarke and Ballymena flanker Matthew Agnew as the five debutants on the night.

The game’s 11th and final try fell to Italian replacement Iachizzi, who burrowed over from a ruck close to the whitewash, and although Rizzi successfully converted to make it a four-point game, a final penalty - won by Ireland inside the Italian half made certain of a victory that was much more hard-fought than it should have been.

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Ireland U-20s Edged Out By Wales In Electric Eleven-Try Thriller

23 February 2018, 10:44 pm

There was agony for the Ireland Under-20s at Donnybrook tonight as they came out on the wrong side of an 11-try thriller, which ended in a 41-38 U-20 Six Nations victory for their Welsh counterparts.

Free-running Wales looked set for a comfortable win when they led by 16 points early on in second half. However, with UCC’s Jack O’Sullivan brilliantly leading their charge, Noel McNamara’s youngsters came away with two points to their credit but with a huge sense of frustration with their defensive lapses.

Head coach McNamara made three changes to his starting lineup. After missing the 38-34 bonus point win over Italy at the same venue through illness, Ronan Kelleher was recalled to the front row where he rejoined his Leinster team-mates Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier.

Elsewhere, scrum half Jonny Stewart returned from his twomatch stint with the Ulster senior team, while Banbridge and Ulster Academy starlet James Hume made his debut alongside the impressive Angus Curtis in the centre.

Both of Ireland’s opening two games had been high-scoring affairs, and it was not long before the deadlock was broken in this highly entertaining Celtic clash. A knock-on by Ireland captain Tommy O’Brien led to a Welsh scrum, and with highly-rated number 8 Taine Basham freeing up Harri Morgan who released the pacy Tommy Rogers for a clinical finish in the left corner.

The touchline conversion by full-back Cai Evans was narrowly off target, but it was a matter of minutes before he had another opportunity off the kicking tee. A powerful maul on the right ended with Welsh lock Max Williams burrowing over the line for

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a ninth-minute converted try. These were early ominous signs for the home side, who were aiming to keep themselves in contention for a Championship challenge.

The Ireland U-20s started to settle as the first half progressed, though, and they finally got their account up and running on 16 minutes. Following a series of attacking phases inside the Welsh 22, out-half Harry Byrne fired over a close range penalty to cut the gap to 12-3. However, despite their heavy defeat to England a fortnight ago and ten changes in personnel, Jason Strange’s Wales outfit continued to play with supreme confidence. At the end of another prolonged attack near the whitewash, flanker James Botham, the grandson of English cricket legend Ian Botham, scored with Evans adding the extras.

Ireland almost received a lifeline when the Ulster-capped Stewart attempted to touch down under a host of Welsh bodies. Referee Sam Grove-White ruled out the score on the advice of his TMO Neil Paterson, but McNamara’s charges finally found a way through the stubborn red-shirted defence before the interval.

A strong charge by hooker Kelleher helped Ireland to create space for their back-line to exploit. The quick-witted Curtis had been probing for much of the half, and he deservedly claimed the opening try for his side with a neat finish. Byrne converted from the left, reducing the arrears to 19-10.

Ireland were hoping to carry the attacking momentum into the second half, and they did not have long to wait for their second try. Disappointingly, it arrived after Wales had grabbed their bonus point score. Straight from the restart, Joe Godchild secured possession deep inside his own half. He picked out the dynamic Morgan who, in turn, released captain Tommy Reffell for a try under the posts. This was the kind of setback that Ireland were desperately hoping to avoid, but they got themselves back into contention in the 47th minute. Athletic number 8 O’Sullivan capitalised on a gap in the Welsh defence to dive over in fine style, with Byrne once again supplying the conversion.

This was a catalyst for an action-packed final half-an-hour, during which both sides threw caution to the wind on a regular basis.

A lineout inside their own 22 appeared to lift the pressure off Ireland’s shoulders, only for it to inadvertently lead to another Welsh five-pointer. Kelleher’s wayward throw fell into the arms of Botham and he completed his brace. Even still, Ireland simply refused to concede defeat in this compelling battle. Another terrific touchdown by O’Sullivan, who was later named man-of-thematch, as well as a routine Byrne conversion cut the gap down to seven points. They could not quite curb the attacking instincts of the young Dragons, however, as centre Callum Carson immedi-

ately replied with an outstanding finish on the left flank. Although it seemed unlikely at the time, this proved to be Wales’ sixth and final try of this absorbing tie. Ireland, on the other hand, really started to find their groove inside the final quarter. Following several phases inside the Welsh 22, Stewart sniped over for the score that his performance deserved. Wales gave themselves some crucial breathing space with a 72nd-minute Evans penalty for a 41-31 advantage, before Ireland unloaded their bench for a grandstand finale. Skipper O’Brien brilliantly evaded a tackle 40 metres out to notch a brilliant breakaway try five minutes from time, the move seeing Ireland build from the back with excellent hands from Conor Dean, Tom O’Toole and Jack Dunne. A successful Stewart conversion raised the possibility of an incredible comeback with only three points between the sides, but the Wales U-20s held on to draw first blood on an electric weekend of three Ireland v Wales internationals in Dublin.

Jack O’Sullivan Stars As Ireland Under-20s Return To Winning Ways

9 March 2018,

Tries in each half from outstanding number 8 Jack O’Sullivan helped the Ireland Under-20s defeat Scotland 30-25 in another high-scoring U-20 Six Nations encounter at Donnybrook.

Noel McNamara’s youngsters again showed they are one of the best attacking sides in this year’s Championship with a four-try bonus point haul, including a brace from man-of-the-match Jack O’Sullivan to add to his double last time out against Wales.

Promising Ulster forwards Matthew Agnew and Matthew Dalton also crossed the whitewash, and although it was a mostly positive night as the Ireland Under-20s claimed their second win of the campaign, defensive issues cropped up again.

Having led 18-6 at the interval, the hosts allowed Scotland to stay

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in contention with tries from Kyle Rowe and Martin Hughes, before a late effort from replacement prop Nathan McBeth gave the Scots a hard-earned losing bonus point.

O’Sullivan ensured a dream start for the Ireland U-20s with a third-minute try. Centre Angus Curtis made significant ground off a maul in the Scottish 22 before scrum half Hugh O’Sullivan released his namesake to bulldoze through to the left of the posts.

Harry Byrne converted and also split the posts in the seventh minute after Scotland, who enjoyed a brilliant comeback victory over England in the last round, were caught offside. Byrne’s second successful penalty, towards the end of the opening quarter, made it 13-0.

In their final home game of the season, the Ireland U-20s lost experienced hooker Ronan Kelleher to injury in the 22nd minute.

Soon after, a good spell for Scotland thanks to the influence of captain Robbie Smith saw out-half Ross Thompson open their account from the tee.

He tagged on a second penalty following strong carrying from Smith and Finlay Richardson, although the Scottish skipper joined his opposite number Kelleher on the sidelines just when it appeared that the Scots were finding their feet.

Ireland responded with some powerful play in the lead up to halftime. A memorable surge from Michael Silvester saw the full-back hauled down just in time by the Scottish defence. However, from a close-in scrum, number 8 O’Sullivan drove up close before flanker Agnew picked from the ruck and dived over for a 35th minute try.

Number 10 Byrne missed the conversion and was also off target with a central penalty from a scrum, early on the resumption.

Angus Kernohan then lost his balance in attempting to deal with a loose ball in defence, allowing Rowe to notch an unconverted 51st-minute try for an 18-11 scoreline.

Ireland’s response was an emphatic one, with sustained pressure on the left leading to a try from Ulster-capped lock Dalton, who picked from a ruck five metres out and showed his strength to make the line. Twelve points in arrears, Scotland were not prepared to go down without a fight. Blindside Hughes crossed at the back of a 58th-minute lineout maul and Thompson’s conversion made it a five-point game.

This put McNamara’s charges on high alert inside the final quarter and the Irish bench had the desired impact as they curbed the growing influence of the Scottish attack, as well as offering some timely direction and energy when Ireland got on the front foot.

Jack O’Sullivan saved the best for last. There were 74 minutes on the clock when he cut past a defender on the Scottish 22-metre

line and showed great feet and awareness to jink around covering full-back Paddy Dewhirst and score just to the left of the posts.

Replacement Conor Dean added the extras to the bonus point try and Ireland were out of sight at 30-18.

There was still enough time for Scotland to have the final say through McBeth on the stroke of 80 minutes, but Tommy O’Brien and his Ireland team-mates deservedly emerged with the spoils, including their third try-scoring bonus point of the Championship run.

Indeed, on a dramatic night in the U-20 Six Nations, previously unbeaten leaders France lost 22-6 to England and Italy made history with their first ever U-20 win over Wales, triumphing 18-7 in Colwyn Bay. That means Ireland head into the final round still with a shot at claiming the title. They are third in the table on 12 points, trailing France and England who both have 15 points. McNamara’s side need to get the better of the English in Coventry next Friday night (kick-off 8pm), and hope that Wales do them a favour in beating France at Parc Eirias.

Ireland Under-20s Endure Nightmare Final Quarter As England Run Riot

16 March 2018

The Ireland Under-20s suffered an alarming collapse in the final quarter of their final U-20 Six Nations game as England ran riot to win 48-15 in Coventry.

Noel McNamara’s youngsters played much of the rugby up to the 55th minute, with first quarter tries from James Hume and captain Tommy O’Brien, who ran in an intercept effort from inside England’s 22, twice putting them in front.

A Harry Byrne penalty on the stroke of half-time brought the visitors level at 15-all, in response to England’s opening two tries

from Ben Loader and Fraser Dingwall and a Tom Hardwick penalty. However, man-of-the-match Gabriel Ibitoye’s brilliant counter-attacking run from deep inspired a Ben White try nearing the hour mark, and things then unravelled for Ireland with O’Brien sin-binned for pulling back Loader when he was set to run onto a kick ahead. During the Leinster Academy starlet’s absence, the visitors leaked two more tries, and they were guilty of playing into England’s hands with individual errors proving particularly costly.

While the powerful English side finished their tries well, too often they were created on the back of Irish mistakes in attack - loose or blocked kicks, turnovers, missed lineouts and missed tackles.

Ireland fell well out of contention in the closing stages, with fatigue and injuries taking their toll, as tries from Joe Heyes (65 minutes), Ibitoye (70), Josh Basham (71) and captain Ben Earl (76) sealed a runaway victory. It was not enough to win the title in the end as France lifted the trophy following their 24-3 bonus point win in Wales. There was little between the sides in a firecracker of an opening quarter, Ireland gaining encouraging territory with a terrific clearance kick from Hugh O’Sullivan, and full-back Michael Silvester also prodded through up to the English 22. Ireland were almost rewarded for a pacy move when busy centre Angus Curtis’ snappy break and pinpoint pass released Angus Kernohan, but covering full-back Jordan Olowofela got across to make a try-saving tackle in the corner.

The score came in the very next phase, Jack O’Sullivan and Jack Dunne winning back possession from a botched English lineout and O’Brien gobbled up out-half Byrne’s grubber kick, wide on the right, to pass inside for Hume to finish off, eight minutes in.

Byrne missed the difficult conversion and England were level just a few minutes later, Ireland giving up a soft penalty from the restart and Loader beat Silvester to James Grayson’s cross-field kick in air and touched down in the left corner. Five points apiece then became 12-5 to Ireland, the home side blundering in their attempts to go from deep, and Dingwall’s pass was picked off by O’Brien for a simple run-in from 15 metres out. Byrne converted for a seven-point lead. However, England ended a frenetic first 20 minutes back on level terms. Initially, Ireland did well with Hume forcing Loader into touch but from O’Sullivan’s subsequent kick, English full-back Olowofela split the defence on the counter and they exploited space on the right as centre Dingwall cut in to score. The try scorer’s midfield partner Hardwick converted and then his scuffed 25th-minute penalty just had the legs to clear the crossbar, although French referee Pierre Brousset’s decision to reward the home scrum was questionable.

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Brousset spotted the second of two forward passes from England, allowing Ireland to force the issue in the lead up to the interval. A crooked lineout from the hosts, followed by Marcus Street’s side-entry at the Irish maul, had McNamara’s charges knocking on the door of a third try. They went through 21 phases, with O’Sullivan, Joe Dunleavy and Jack Aungier all prominent as carriers, but out-half Byrne’s dink through for Kernohan - with a penalty advantage - had too much on it.

Byrne resumed by knocking over the straightforward placekick to bring Ireland level in the 40th minute. Into the second period, skipper O’Brien was terrier-like when clamping onto a ruck ball after a miscued Irish lineout, the visitors moving the ball at pace but they were soon stopped in their tracks by their ninth handling error of the game. The Irish scrum gave away another penalty before TMO input ruled out a 49th minute try for the fleet-footed Ibitoye, who was adjudged to have not been ‘the last man’ at the ruck he had sprung straight through from.

Unfortunately for industrious Ireland, it was a glimpse of what was to come. Matthew Dalton lost possession in the English 22, the ball was moved wide to Ibitoye, and the Harlequins flyer stepped inside Kernohan and evaded two tackles to pass for supporting scrum half White to scoot clear from halfway. It was a gut-wrenching try for Ireland to concede and after Hardwick converted, it went from bad to worse for the underdogs as replacement Sean Masterson went off with his right arm in a sling and O’Brien’s yellow card left them with a mountain to climb.

Despite some gritty defence, including a superb Curtis tap tackle on Olowofela which saved a certain try, Ireland could not hold out. Replacement prop Heyes barged over from a few metres out, and after replacement Jonny Stewart’s attempted kick

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through was blocked down, the ball sat up nicely for Ibitoye to score from a hack downfield.

Ireland soon lost the ball again when on the attack, England launching a kick chase and squeezing the life out of the visitors.

Silvester, who was covering a man on the outside, allowed flanker Basham past him on the inside as an increasingly lopsided scoreboard now showed 43-15.

Eoghan Clarke’s missed lineout throw once more gave England the licence to attack from their own half, and they were still full of running. With Ireland playing on with 14 men following the loss of full-back Silvester to injury, Ibitoye’s excellent offload sending Earl crashing over from close range - despite the presence of three defenders.

England were now in rampant form in front of the 7,356 Ricoh Arena attendance and they could have passed the half-century mark in the final minutes. However, Ibitoye missed out on his side’s eighth try when he lost control of the ball as he dived for the line.

Ireland finished third in the table, eight points behind France and England who were comfortably the most consistent teams in this year’s U-20 Six Nations. The challenge now for the Irish players is to learn some harsh lessons from the last few weeks and come back as a stronger unit for the summer’s World Rugby U-20 Championship in France.

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IRELAND U20 2018 Harry Byrne, Conor Dean , Dan Hurley , James Hume, Sean O’Brien, Hugh O’Sullivan, Tom Roche, Michael Silvester, Jonny Stewart, Peter Sylvester, Tommy O’Brien, James McCarthy, Matthew Agnew, Jack Aungier, Diarmuid Barron, Joe Byrne, Matthew Dalton, Cormac Daly, Caelan Doris (capt), Jordan Duggan, Jack Dunne, Joe Dunleavy, James French, Aaron Hall, Tom O’Toole, Jack O’Sullivan, Charlie Ryan, Dan Sheehan gpfoto my photos, your story gerry@gpfoto.ie +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved