It was a match they should have won, but the concession of two soft tries ensured a disappointing opening for Ireland yesterday in the SANZAR Under-21 invitational Championship in Sydney, Australia.
After producing a fine start to the match, the Irish team demonstrated their defensive resilience for some 15 minutes as they defied their opponents time and again.
Ironically it was after Ireland had reestablished a foothold in the game and enjoyed a prolonged spell of territorial dominance that they conceded two disappointing tries - scored by Sean Marsden and Phil Christopher - following sporadic English forays into their half. Matthew Leek kicked a conversion and dropped a goal to extend England's advantage to 15-3 at half-time.
Ireland had opened the scoring with a penalty from Garryowen's Jeremy Staunton. After the interval, the Irish pack upped their performance significantly, dominating their opponents. Replacement Des Dillon capped a fine performance by grabbing a try, which Staunton converted but the Irish could not reduce the five-point deficit.
There were several fine individual performances, notably from Niall Treston, Gavin Hickie, Matt McCullough, Shane Jennings and Dillon up front with scrumhalf Brian O'Riordan and captain Mossie Lawlor the pick of the backs. There was further bad news when outstanding young lock McCullough returned to the team hotel with his leg in plaster after sustaining badly torn ankle ligaments. McCullough, who will return home immediately, will be replaced by Dublin University clubmate Alan Maher.
It means that coach Ciaran Fitzgerald is now without three key players - Gordon D'Arcy (back) and Johnny O'Connor (arm) withdrew prior to departure on medical advice. Their places were taken by Ballymena's Scott Young and John O'Sullivan of Garryowen.
Ireland meet Argentina in their second match of the tournament on Saturday, before taking on New Zealand the following Wednesday.
Meanwhile, under-21 world champions New Zealand showed their class as they outplayed Argentina. After leading 19-6 at the break, the young Kiwis cut loose in the second half, finally winning 39-11. In Pool B, South Africa started their campaign on a high note, beating Samoa 41-14. The Baby Boks, leading 19-0 at the break, scored six tries and were awared a penalty try in a one-sided affair. Their opponents scored two converted tries.
Pool A
Ireland: G Duffy (Galwegians); A Maxwell (Ballymena), K Lewis (DU), M Lawlor (Shannon, capt), G Brown (Blackrock); J Staunton (Garryowen), B O'Riordan (UCD); S Phillips (Saracens), G Hickie (St Mary's), N Treston (Blackrock); M McCullough (DU), D Browne (Galwegians); N Breslin (UCD), A Hickey (Dolphin), S Jen- nings (St Mary's).
Replacements: S Young (Ballymena) for Duffy; N McMillan (Belfast Harlequins) for McCullough; D Dillon (UCD) for Browne. DETAILS: England 15 ( S Marsden try, P Christopher try, M Leek dr gl, con) Ireland 10 (D Dillon try, J Staunton pen, con).
New Zealand 39 (B Mika, D Quate, S Paku, S Harding, T Tu'ipulotu, try each; R Flutey, four pens, con) Argentina 11 (M Catrogiovanni, try; A di Bernardo, two pens).
