UNDER-20 WORLD CUP/Ireland 27 England 12: THE IRELAND under-20s will face France in the Junior World Cup fifth place play-off next Friday after yesterday's surprise victory over England in Cape Town.
It was the third meeting for Mike Ruddock’s aspiring professionals with England this year, following a comprehensive defeat in March and narrow 20-15 loss on June 8th.
Paired in the toughest pool, against hosts South Africa and the Grand Slam champions, they were expected to struggle but it can already be deemed a successful campaign after victory over South Africa in the opening game and yesterday’s result.
“We felt we owed ourselves this performance,” said captain Niall Scannell. “We wanted to get our intensity back up to what it was against South Africa. And for the entire 80 minutes.”
The scoreline tells no lies; Ireland dominated this encounter from Barry Daly’s intercepted try after just seven minutes. JJ Hanrahan converted from wide right to continue his inspirational tournament. Outhalf was supposed to be a concern for Ireland after losing Ulster’s Paddy Jackson before tournament, but the Kerry man has ably filled that void.
Others have also stood out, especially Ulster lock/flanker Iain Henderson, while Tadhg Furlong has been a rock at scrum time. The Leinster Academy tighthead also put in the hit of the day, halting the massive Billy Vunipola in his tracks as England attempted to reduce a two-score deficit.
The Irish platform came from a finely worked try finished by Henderson, after a clever break by scrumhalf Kieran Marmion, with Hanrahan’s conversion and a penalty leaving it 17-0 at the interval.
Henderson’s sin-binning on 38 minutes provided England with a numerical advantage, which they exploited when Chris Walker dived over just 1.17 into the second-half. But English discipline slowed their revival. Walker was yellow -carded for not rolling away after tackling Jack Conan and sub winger Marland Yarde was binned for striking.
The win was secured on 72 minutes when Jordan Coghlan gathered a cross-field punt by Hanrahan to canter over. Hanrahan atoned for an earlier penalty miss by nailing the conversion.
Ruddock switched Coghlan from blind to openside flanker after the loss of the influential Conor Gilsenan to injury. It also meant Henderson shifting into the backrow. Both decisions worked here.
England did respond late on with outhalf Henry Slade beating fullback Peter Nelson in a foot race, a try he also converted, but they never threatened to get close. Ireland already beat France in France during the Six Nations so a tight encounter is expected at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. Kick off is 1.15pm.
IRELAND: P Nelson; B Daly, S Olding, C Farrell, F Horan; JJ Hanrahan, K Marmion; D Merry, N Scannell, T Furlong, A O’Connor, T Beirne, I Henderson, J Coghlan, J Conan. Replacements: C Finn for Horan (43 mins), J Rael for Scannell (62 mins), L McGrath for Marmion (67 mins), A Conneely for Beirne (71 mins), S Buckley for Coghlan (74 mins), J Cawley for Furlong, P Reilly for Merry, J Carty for Hanrahan (all 77 mins).
ENGLAND: B Radnsom; W Addison, S Hill, R Mills, J Bassett; H Slade, B Spencer; A Hepburn, N Morris, K Sinckler; D Barrow, G Merrick; D Sisi, C Walker (capt), J Clifford. Replacements: M Crumpton for Morris, R Harrison for Sinckler, L Cowan-Dickie for Hepburn (all half-time), D Robson for Spencer (49 mins), B Vunipola for Merrick (51 mins), B Nutley for Clifford (55 mins), T Bell for Bassett (69 mins).
Referee: L Hodges (Wales)
