Under-21 World Cup: Ireland's Under-21 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment and concern yesterday afternoon after loosehead prop Darragh Hurley was stretchered off with a neck injury during the fifth-place play-off defeat to England.
Half a dozen medics and support staff took 11 minutes to secure Hurley's body position before taking him away to hospital in Clermont Ferrand.
After that, England went on to win the game with some ease.
With Paul Doran Jones recovering back at home in Ireland after suffering a similar problem during the game against Georgia, Ireland will return this afternoon with plenty of concerns.
"Our problem today was that we couldn't get enough decent ball against a very big pack," said coach Mark McDermott. "However, it has been a good competition for us and I am pleased with the way we have developed."
Ryan Lamb's penalty gave England an early lead, but five minutes later Ireland used their driving lineout well, and after recycling the ball three times in midfield, number eight Seán O'Brien muscled his way over.
Using their jumbo pack to good effect, England redressed the balance after 16 minutes when scrumhalf Danny Care finished some excellent work from his forwards with a try that Lamb failed to convert.
Ireland outhalf Kieran Hallett made up for an earlier penalty miss by converting from 40 metres after 20 minutes before prop Alex Rogers drove over from a maul following a lineout for England's second try.
When Hurley left the field after a clash of heads with full back Michael Brown, Ireland's position was obviously weakened, and Hallett missed an easy 20-metre penalty before the interval.
But England took a firm grip on proceedings in the second half with further tries from Anthony Allen and Michael Hills.
IRELAND: F Carr; I Hanly, T Gleeson, F McFadden, M Williams; K Hallett, M D'Arcy; D Hurley, S Cronin, D Ryan; D McGowan, D Toner; M Essex, D Pollock (capt), S O'Brien. Replacements: C Black for Hurley (30 mins), D Cave for Gleeson (57 mins), J Sexton for Hallet (62 mins), D Williams for D'Arcy (72 mins).
ENGLAND: M Brown; T Ojo, M Cornwell (capt), A Allen, P Diggins; R Lamb, D Care; A Rogers, C Brooker, D Wilson; R Blaze, T Croft; J Haskell, M Hills, J Crane. Replacements: R Webber for Brooker (40 mins), B Foden for Care (50 mins), M Lambert for Rogers (57 mins), M Riley for Cornwell (59 mins), C Robshaw for Crane, T Flood for Lamb (both 67 mins).
Referee: T Hayes (Wales).
Impressive France claim world title
France defeated South Africa 24-13 to win the IRB Under 21 World Championship final.
Fly half Lionel Beauxis was the hero, scoring all his side's points with six penalties and two drop goals.
New Zealand came from 24-18 down at half time against Australia to claim third and gain revenge for a pool stage loss earlier in the tournament.
Argentina defeated Wales 28-12 for seventh in the standings.
