England Under-18  17 Ireland Under-18 9Replacement flanker Cian O'Connor was sent off for stamping as Ireland slipped to a second consecutive defeat in this Four Home Unions' Tournament against England at Morley Rugby Club in Leeds yesterday.

Until O'Connor's dismissal early in the second half when the scores were tied at 6-6, Ireland looked the more likely winners, with lively Nenagh wing Stephen Carey coming close twice.

After his departure, outhalves Craig Barker and Patrick O'Toole exchanged penalties, before England's numerical superiority began to tell.

The host nation scored the game's only try with nine minutes remaining, when scrumhalf Rhodri McAtee wiggled over following a close-range line-out.

Ireland tried to rally in spirited fashion but England's win was confirmed by Barker's fourth penalty.

ENGLAND: O Winter; N McGovern, L Sloan, S Whatling, S Ajuwa; C Barker, N Gordon; S Clarke, B Steele, W Thompson, G Johnson, A Buist, T Carruthers, D James, M Hopley. Replacements: P Diggin for Ajuwa (35), R McAtee for Gordon (48), T Spencer for Clareke (28), J Greenwood for Steele (28), W Bowley for Johnson (58), M Challinor for Carruthers (44).

IRELAND: R McGowan; S Carey, D O'Reilly, B O'Donnell, J Harney; P O'Toole, R Pollock; A Friel, J Musgrave, E Bracken, S Hennessey, L Sullivan, P Currie, O Hennessey, T Doran. Replacements: D Bryan for McGowan (61 mins), S Leonard for Musgrave (23-32), R Loughney for Bracken (48), T Ryan for Sullivan (48), C O'Connor for Currie (40).

Referee: K Evans (Wales).