Ireland brought home a well fought win against England in the Under 20 Six Nations at the Stone X Stadium in London.
The bonus point win means Ireland are still in the running for the Six Nations title, as well as the much renowned Grand Slam.
England proved the dominating team at the start with a quick attack from Cassius Cleaves on the wing bringing them straight up onto Ireland’s 22’s.
Some energetic phases from the home side saw a penalty against Ireland, resulting in an English scrum. Off the scrum a slight gap in Irish defence proved enough for full back George Hendy to get the first try of the game just five minutes in.
A close call on the restart nearly resulted in another chance for the winger but the ball was point into touch by Ireland.
It took the visitors side awhile to settle in but their defence remained solid, holding off a lot of chances from the early English attack. Ireland’s first possession of the game saw a carry from Devine and good handling by Tector. Despite the phases little ground was made but the first points for the Irish side were put on the board by Tector in a penalty kick.
With 3 points up against England’s 7 the restart proved promising for Ireland with a turnover from Boyle bringing the team up to the 22. A loose pass out from Culhane was picked up by Devine just on the line, who drove it over at the 17 minute mark. Tector added 3 points, leaving Ireland with 17 points.
The first of many overthrown lineouts from England saw a chance for Ireland with Postelwaite spotting a gap a few minutes later. A flat pass from McLoughlin out to Culhane saw them back on the try line. A pick and go from McLoughlin finfihed off the phases and opened up the gap.
A good restart from England resulted in a maul on Ireland’s which was collapsed by the green side. Another overthrown lineout saw a good carry from mCcormick who gave a pass out to a waiting Devine. Devine’s kicked was blocked however, offering a chance for England, who just managed to get the ball over by captain Ilione.
Half-time saw the teams 17 apiece but Ritchie Murphy’s side came out fighting for the chance to continue their journey to a Grand Slam and some clever hands showed the team’s ability. Devine made himself known with a series of carries and a great pass out to Crothers.
McCormick delivered a flat past to Postelwaite who continued to make up ground. The steady and comfortable play from Ireland saw McLoughlin just a foot from the line at the 43 minute mark. With some good support from Morrissey it was Rory McGuire who got the ball over the line in a composed series of phases from the visitors.
After a turnover on the restart Crothers break on the wing and a great carry from Devine and McLoughlin brought the ball back over the line but it was held up by the English front row. Another good attack, this time from Culhane and McGuire saw ground made again but it was turned over after a knock on.
Another penalty for Ireland was quickly followed by a series of phases from England which proved too powerful for the backline as Cassius Cleves on the wing touched down in the corner. Ethan Coughlan’s replacement for Devine saw him make an immediate impact with a good carry up the wing.
However it was Aitzol King straight off the bench who made the big impact of the game. Just minutes on the pitch, the Balbriggan native’s first touch of the ball off of the set piece saw him sidestep through the English defence, bringing the ball from the 22 over the line.
Off the back of that bonus point try the restart saw quick hands through the backline and King once again showed his power and pace, outrunning England’s Hendy and Johnson to touch down in the corner at the 66-minute mark.
With 10 minutes to go Ireland were showing why it was they only had two defeats in their last 17 games, as they comfortably worked up the pitch. Another penalty kick put them over the 40 minute line. England took an opportunistic try as Bailey broke through defence with a sidestep inside to add five points for the home team. England looked to further close the gap with quick hands from Coughlan out to Thomas, but a knock on saw the chance for Ireland to kick the ball into touch.
Ireland will be happy with their powerful performance in London, which puts them on track for the Grand Slam, last achieved in 2007. While both teams scored the bonus point it was the visitors who proved the better side, with their replacement’s showing significant impact, their backline showing impressive carries and their forward pack owning the lineouts.
