France U-20 12 Ireland U-20 13:Ireland centre JJ Hanrahan showed nerves of steel to kick Ireland to the narrowest of victories over France in Grenoble in their Six Nations Under 20 Championship clash.
The highly-rated Munster centre notched a 72nd minute penalty to hand Ireland victory in treacherous conditions, taking his side to the summit of the table at the foot of the Alps after two matches. France got off to the perfect start when Bayonne fly-half Clement Otazo kicked the hosts into a 3-0 lead in the second minute and just six minutes later he was at it again to double his side’s advantage.
Irish counterpart Paddy Jackson hit back midway through the first half and that was how it stayed until the interval, France taking a 6-3 half-time lead with them into the dressing room.
Ireland coach Mike Ruddock rang the changes at the interval and it had an immediate impact with replacement centre Foster Horan touching down with the only try of the game on 42 minutes. Jackson added the conversion.
Otazo responded with a brace of penalties on 47 and 53 minutes and that was how it stayed until Hanrahan, who assumed kicking duties when Jackson was replaced, had the final say with eight minutes left on the clock.
