Ireland 15 England 20:In an Under-20 World Cup that has set a trend of rogue results, Ireland's gallant effort for a place in the semi-final fell short after leading for most of the match against England in Stellenbosch today.
English forward power on a bog of a pitch in South Africa finally paid off after two tries from the Irish and a half-time lead that set up Mike Ruddock’s young side for yet another upset against the Six Nations champions.
Smart, canny and composed Ireland eased their way into the match although England certainly began with the higher tempo and put their big ball carriers into the Irish defence. In that they would have been disappointed by their return, an early penalty from Tom Heathcote for a 3-0 lead the only tangible reward.
In those early stages England discipline began to falter badly and as Ireland upset the flow of their opponents, England found themselves with two players in the bin in the first half. But Ireland’s declaration of intent came even before England had been whittled down for infringements.
In the 15th minute a magical break from winger Barry Daly saw him streak down the right and draw in the English defence. The ball fed in field found JJ Hanrahan who scrambled over in front of the posts, his conversion putting Ireland 7-3 in front.
Shortly after Will Addison was sent to the line for a dangerous tackle, Irish scrumhalf, Kieran Marmion made a lightening break, which was taken on by Sam Coughlan Murray. England’s George Merrik then drew his yellow and in the resulting scrum Ireland’s two-man advantage paid off handsomely.
Marmion stepped into the unmanned blind side and number eight Jack Conan appointed himself the temporary nine to make the telling pass, Marmion scampering in unopposed. Hanrahan’s missed conversion still left Ireland 12-3 ahead with his penalty on half-time giving Ireland a 15-3 lead at the break.
Heatcote made it 15-6 immediately after they came out as England bristled with intent. Their possession and momentum visbly rose and with their poundage they powered forward, Irish captain Niall Scannell shipping a referee’s warning about Irish infringements..
Just after the hour a huge scrum from England shoved Ireland backward and an impetuous tackle from the side from replacement Shane Buckley earned England a penalty try and Buckley a spell in the bin. Ireland paid heavily for that, England scoring their winning 14 points with Ireland scrambling around the park a man down.
The nail in the coffin for Ireland arrived three minutes later with an England forward rumble, the gargantuan tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler emerging from the tangle with a wide grin and the ball in his hand. England outhalf Heathcote converted for 20-15, Ireland in the end over powered and outmuscled on a pitch that at the whistle was barely playable.
