England u20s 20-9 Ireland U20s
THE IRISH UNDER-20 team endured their first loss in their last game of the Six Nations campaign at Adams Park this evening, consequently missing the opportunity to win the Championship and the Grand Slam.
Ireland were unbeaten in the Championship going into the game, but experienced an early setback, when England’s Anthony Watson scored an excellent individual try.
And following a successful Paddy Jackson penalty, England added to their advantage when Dan Robson crossed over after a strong run through the Irish defence following a line-out.
The visitors experienced more misery when JJ Hanrahan was sent to the sin bin on 29 minutes, but they still managed to keep the score down to 15-6 at half time.
However, the second half began in much the same way as the first, as Marland Yarde crossed over following a pass from Robson.
And while Jackson kicked another penalty before the end of the game, the hosts hung on for a deserved victory, which ensured they won the Championship.
ENGLAND U-20: Anthony Watson (London Irish); Marland Yarde (London Irish), Will Addison (Sale Sharks), Ryan Mills (Gloucester), Charlie Walker (Harlequins); Tom Heathcote (Bath), Dan Robson (Gloucester); Alec Hepburn (London Wasps), Koree Britton (Gloucester), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Tom Price (Leicester Tigers), Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Chris Walker (Leeds Carnegie) (capt), Jack Clifford (Harlequins).Replacements: Nathan Morris (London Wasps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), George Merrick (Harlequins), David Sisi (London Irish), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Ransom (Saracens).
IRELAND U-20: Shane Layden (Buccaneers/Connacht); Conor Finn (Buccaneers/Connacht), Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster); Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) (capt), Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster); Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster), Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Iain Henderson (Queen’s University/Ulster), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht), Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster).
Replacements: James Rael (Garryowen/Munster), Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster), Kieron Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster), Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).
