Ireland 3
England 19
IRELAND’S U20 SIX Nations campaign began in defeat to champions England in a drudging curtain-raiser at Virgin Media Park, Cork.
On a rainy, windy night on Leeside, England’s suffocative defence weathered a series of Irish storms and the pinpoint boot of Ben Coen did the rest of the damage as the visitors made a deserved winning start to their title defence.
England survived a 20-minute red card for Bath back row Junior Kpoku to take a 9-3 lead with the conditions behind them in the first half. Ireland were unable to make similar use of their advantage during a greasier second 40 as the soft but constant downpour inhibited both sides.
A late English penalty try for a collapsed maul all but killed the game as a contest, Ireland’s sole reward for a fierce 80-minute effort being three first-half points from the boot of Sam Wisniewski when they were 6-0 down.
The 19-3 result felt harsh on Ireland on the night but was about right on paper.
England came into this contest as 10-point favourites, head coach Mark Mapletoft able to call upon 12 players with U20 experience in his matchday 23 in comparison with Neil Doak’s three Irish equivalents.
Senior squad member Henry Pollock of Northampton Saints started for the away side and was among several English players to have banked significant senior game time with their clubs this campaign. By contrast, none of Ireland’s wider 31-man squad has yet played a senior competitive minute for their province.
In the end, that English power and experience told: Bath front-row pair Kepu Tuipulotu and Vilikesa Sela, who have played Champions cup rugby for Johann van Graan’s side, were difficult to live with in all facets of the game. Exeter Chiefs eight Kane James was explosive on either side of the ball. And the right foot of Coen, also a Chief, was pristine, keeping Ireland at arm’s length for virtually the entire game.
In front of a capacity crowd, it was Ireland who made the brighter start, claiming back kick-off and sending second-year lock Billy Corrigan through a hole which immediately brought 8,800-odd fans to their feet.
Corrigan was hauled down inside the English 22′, however, and a sustained Irish attack, which initially survived a couple of monstrous double hits, eventually fizzled out with a handling error.
Ireland’s scrum stood up steadily to its English counterpart early — even winning a penalty on 10 minutes — but the sheer size difference between the two packs was especially notable at lineout time, where skipper Tom Burrow was securing cosy ball after a couple of early wobbles.
Ireland, though, were still leaving dents of their own, Connacht flanker Bobby Power dislodging an early English carry with a rocket to the ribs.
The young men in green played into a strong wind in the first half which meant England, mainly through the huge boot of Leicester fullback Jack Kinder, were able to incrementally gain territory.
A knock-on in contact by Ireland outside centre Connor Fahy gave them a sight at the Irish 22′ and the hosts infringed on the ground as they sought to thwart the onslaught.
Out-half Ben Coen slotted the first points of the game from in front of the posts and England led 3-0 approaching the quarter-hour mark.
Following the restart, Ireland burst into the English 22′ through Sam Wisniewski and England conspired to make two high tackles on Ireland players in the space of two phases. The first, by hulking Racing 92 blindside Junior Kpoku on Eoghan Smyth, was a clear and late shoulder to the head which inflamed Musgrave Park as it appeared on the big screen at the Sunday’s Well end.
After a lengthy deliberation, referee Jérémy Rozier produced a red card for the giant English forward. His night was over, although England would be able to bring on a replacement for Kpoku 20 minutes later through the new law trials.
Ireland loosehead Alex Usanov, meanwhile, limped off with an injury that left him visibly despondent. He was replaced by Billy Bohan.
From the red card, Ireland declined the shot at three into a short-lasting monsoon, but they conceded a penalty at the resulting attacking lineout on the English 5′.
The visitors then flexed their muscles, literally, as their seven-man pack obliterated the Usanov-less Ireland in the scrum to win a penalty on halfway.
The penalty itself proved inconsequential but the winning of it was probably the biggest statement made by either side in the opening 20 minutes.
A spell of English territorial dominance followed but it was met head-on by firm Irish defence, the aforementioned Power and back-row partner Michael Foy leading the charge in slowing the visitors’ ball at the breakdown.
Foy then claimed the lineout which led to a yellow for English skipper Burrow, who foolishly interfered with Ulster and Ireland scrum-half Clark Logan at the base of a ruck when Ireland were otherwise going nowhere.
Clark’s opposite number Archie McParland then went off injured to be replaced at nine by Lucas Friday, which felt like a further blow for 13-man England.
Ireland were unable to capitalise on Burrow’s infringement, however, as Wisniewski overcompensated for the wind and kicked the ball dead.
His out-half counterpart Coen wasn’t as forgiving as he doubled England’s lead moments later, booming a 45-yarder between the posts down the Dolphin end.
Wisniewski did then half the deficit from in front of the posts as England were offside in preventing a promising-looking Irish attack in their 22′. On the half-hour mark, the visitors led 6-3 and the game was fairly even — but England would soon be able to count upon their returning skipper and a replacement for Kpoku.
The 13 men applied further pressure with a wonderful, over-the-shoulder box-kick by replacement scrum-half Friday which, aided by the wind, dribbled into touch inside the Irish 5′.
Referee Rozier brought it back for an English penalty, however, with Ireland pinged for a relatively harmless but high hit near midfield.
Coen, metronomic from the tee, bombed another one over from long range to stretch England’s lead to 9-3.
Bath back row George Timmins came on for Kpoku just in time to help thwart another Irish attack, the English maul stopping Ireland dead off another five-metre attacking lineout — this one earned following a superb poach by the impressive blindside Foy.
The visitors proceeded to botch their escape, however, with a tidal wave of Irish jerseys bundling the English half-backs over their own dead-ball line after the ball had hit grass in the in-goal.
The crowd took to its feet as Ireland won the five-metre scrum from which captain and number eight Éanna McCarthy, the Dolphin man playing at his boyhood home ground, went close with a big carry.
But the subsequent Irish breakdown came under serious pressure and the ball eventually spilled forward off green before Ireland could have a second crack at the line.
With a 9-3 lead, England took half-time, but Musgrave Park roared Ireland down the tunnel, their optimism nowhere near dulled by England’s phenomenal five-metre defence.
Upon the restart, the otherwise excellent Charlie Molony found the wind to still be adversarial, the Leinster fullback’s up-and-under from his own 10-metre line flying over the English backfield and eventually squirming dead for a scrum back to England.
Still, there was a sense that if Ireland could manage to weaponise the wind, they would find a route back into the game.
A titanic clearance from Wisniewski from his own 5′ was spilled forward on the English 10′ by fullback Kinder, much to the enjoyment of the Cork crowd.
In increasingly slippery conditions, however, the hosts were struggling to build enough phases to stress the integrity of England’s defensive line.
Sensing as much, Wisniewski took matters into his own hands and pinged a gorgeous kick off first phase into the English backfield. It would have yielded a 50-22 were it not for a miraculous piece of fielding by England wing Charlie Griffin, but it did at least lead to a spell of Irish possession deep in English territory as Friday’s exit kick hung up in the sky.
Ireland then won a penalty just inside the English 10′, about 13 metres infield from the left-hand touchline. Wisniewski took on what amounted to a 45-metre kick at goal but it drifted wide right, leaving the deficit at six.
In need of some creativity, Neil Doak sprung sparkplug centre Gene O’Leary-Kareem from the bench to replace the more defence-minded Eoghan Smyth, with the outstanding Connor Fahy shifting in to 12 and continuing to make dents.
O’Leary-Kareem did his best to mop up after a misjudged crossfield kick by Wisniewski which was fielded by Griffin, who booted into grass downfield and put Ireland under savage pressure.
Isolated as he scooped the loose ball under his own posts, O’Leary-Kareem was pinged for holding on.
England skipper Burrow turned down three points which would have been easy even with the wind, opting instead to go to touch. But they botched the resulting lineout and Ireland cleared to halfway from a free-kick.
Replacement hooker Connor Magee was next to save Ireland’s bacon with a jackal penalty inside his own 5′, but England were turning up the dial.
That pressure told on 67 minutes, a lineout maul on the Irish 5′ trundling over the line. After a TMO review that took an epoch, Ireland were adjudged to have brought it down illegally: penalty try, and a yellow card for sub Oisin Minogue to boot.
At 16-3, it was effectively game over given the pattern of the game to that point.
To Ireland’s credit, they almost responded immediately as a beautiful chip over the top by replacement out-half Daniel Green was collected on the left edge by Foy, who took it to within inches before England nuked the Irish breakdown and won a lineout.
Coen chipped over another three in the dying seconds to stretch England’s lead to an absolutely unassailable 16 points, and the brilliant away side were miserly enough to deny an excellent break and reach by Irish fullback Molony at the death to keep their hosts try-less.
Scorers for Ireland:
- Tries:
- Cons:
- Pens: Sam Wisniewski (1/2)
Scorers for England:
- Tries: Penalty try
- Cons:
- Pens: Sam Coen (4/4)
IRELAND U20: 15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster); 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), 11. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); 10. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster); 1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), 3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster), 7. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), 8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt).
Replacements: 16. Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster), 17. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 19. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Oisin Minogue (Shannon RFC/Munster), 21. Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 22. Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster).
ENGLAND U20: 15. Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers/Silhillians RUFC); 14. Jack Bracken (Saracens/Barnet Elizabethans), 13. Angus Hall (Saracens/Sevenoaks Rugby Club), 12. Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs/Bishops Diocesan College), 11. Charlie Griffin (Bath/Rosslyn Park); 10. Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs/Teignmouth RFC), 9. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints/Ruthin RFC); 1. Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks/Guildford RFC), 2. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath/Cwmbran RFC), 3. Vilikesa Sela (Bath/Royal Wootton Bassett RFC), 4. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens/Blackheath Rugby Club), 5. Tom Burrow (Sale Sharks/Morley RUFC) (capt), 6. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92/Saracens Amateurs), 7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/Buckingham Rugby Club), 8. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs/St. Peter’s RFC).
Replacements: 16. Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs/Crediton RFC), 17. Ollie Scola (Northampton Saints/Old Northamptonians RFC), 18. Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks/West Park Leeds RFC), 19. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints/Bedford Junior Blues), 20. George Timmins (Bath/Market Harborough RUFC), 21. Lucas Friday (Harlequins/Bromley RFC), 22. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins/Rosslyn Park), 23. Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs/Ivybridge RFC).
Referee: Jérémy Rozier (France); Assistant Referees: Kevin Bralley, Evan Urruzmendi (both France); TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Two very weak teams. No standout players in either side. No real leadership evident in this first game, again on both sides. Ireland never looked like scoring, even with England down to 13 players. Let’s hope the rest of their games are better.
@Con Cussed: Weak is one word I would not have used for England. They were wasteful and if they fix that they must be favourites to do the slam
@Con Cussed: conditions looked bad but that was the least skillful Irish 20’s side we’ve seen for years. We’ve been spoiled granted the last few years but we’ve seen our 20’s attack from everywhere regardless of the conditions backing their fitness and skill levels. Last night, it was a slugfest which we were always going to lose given the difference in size/strengh. It’ll be interesting to see if Doak moves us to a much more conservative gameplan compared to Murphy who gave the players license to throw it around.
Why did we try and take them on up front when we were being battered each time. Very naive gameplay that did not adjust.
@Shane OHanrahan: Yeah, seemed like they played attritional rugby all evening except for that lovely chip that almost came off. Kicking cross field in those conditions meant that there was no advantage as the ball was in the air too long.
@Shane OHanrahan: yeah, 1 or 2 passes and run at their big forwards. Not much of a plan at the best of times
@Punt: is that a tactic one would associate with Doak. Some coaches prefer to keep it tight and play risk rugby. But I think this style of play is high risk for us as Birch would say ‘we don’t have the cattle’
@Michael Corkery: risk free
This is why I have a difficulty with the 20 minute red card. And my own cards on the table, as a referee I have never been in favour of it. Therefore I could be guilty of confirmation bias here: But, how can the punishment for a collapsed maul be greater than the punishment for a reckless shoulder direct to the head!! A 10 minute sin bin plus 7 points versus a 20 minute sin bin. I know the player couldn’t come back, but England survived the 20 minutes and then received a shot in the arm by getting to make a sub.
@Paul Ennis: I agree, a ridiculous punishment for a cheap shot to the head. The 20min red should be for those calls that are debatable between YC/RC – let’s call it orange card. This rule only incites shots to the head IMO
@Paul Ennis: yeah, nonsense really. This 20 minute rule is not helping player welfare and safety. In this instance it possibly would not have affected the game outcome as Ireland didn’t look like they’d score. However, they were without potentially one of their best players. They rule should be abolished. I don’t know the legal implications for world rugby if red cards start to mount and players are injured. Particularly head collisions which down the road might result in cognitive impairment.
This 9s rule is awful
@Gary D: the fact that you can’t even block down the SH box kick at the back of a maul is absolutely ridiculous. Is it the same at a ruck? Or was that a ref error? OK if you’re not allowed to ruffle him up but blocking kicks should be fair game
Well beaten tonight crowd was very loud in cork disapointing performance
The difficult conditions were always going to suit the massive English pack some of whom had Champions Cup experience. Indeed that basically was the difference in the teams. Whatever is said about the team you cannot question their bravery and spirit. Usanov, Niall Smyth, Spicer and Luke Murphy would have added the necessary bulk and experience but it was not to be. I thought Magee and McAllister really impressed at scrum time while Foy and Corrigan had good moments. This side needs another playmaker in the centre so O’Leary Kareem should get the nod next time.
The story should be about the twenty minute red, no? Shocking leaving the shoulder in like that. What a muppet.
Have watched a lot of those players at ail and A interpro’s , some very talented players there..looked badly coached compared to the last number of yrs…one mitigating factor…..we were missing at least 6 1st choice players incl our 3 best forwards..Spicer.Smyth and Murphy
@John Ryan: what ever people say about Murphy, he was the ideal 20’s coach as he backed them to play heads up rugby and use their skills under pressure. A conservative, risk averse coach will be very a serious miscasting because the results at 20’s is secondary to the players showing the best of themselves and pushing in to next level (usually the 2 are not mutually exclusive). Worry about results should be at senior level
@John Ryan: Yeah. The recent successful U20 teams have been built round a core of outstanding prospects, been obviously well coached and captained, and producing more than the sum of their parts. Couldn’t really see any of that last night. More like the traditional bunch of lads giving their all against an obviously superior opposition. Of course we don’t have the depth to carry the injuries that have crippled the team. In addition to the guys you mentioned we also lost Usanov last night, with his back-up, Calvey, also out. And then going home during Covid also lost us Gabriel, while the most likely step-up 10, Dylan Hicks, also reportedly injured for this game
@John Ryan: you can add Calvey, who would probably be a atarter this season, plus Hicks and GOLK along with Smith, Spicer and Luke Murphy
Would be good to know how serious the Usanov injury is.
@Con Cussed: Some loss when he got injured
The cross field kicks were madness in those conditions. Even if we had caught them the player was going to be isolated as there was always cover out there. It made no sense to continue with it. With those conditions the up and under was probably a better option if you could force knock ons
Sloppy performance, although I thought the out half was handy
@aidan prior: not sure about him to be honest. Felt like there was number of occasions he still directly behind the 9 which was odd
@aidan prior: impressed me too his second name is it russian
@Seanie: Polish I would have thought
@Michael Corkery: It’s not a Polish name. Most common in Russia, Ukraine and some of the countries ending in ‘stan’.
@Michael Corkery: According to Wikipedia it is a Polish princely family of Ruthenian-Lithuanian origin ;0)
@Con Cussed: Wiśniewski is the 3rd most common surname in Poland. Surname Origin: Polish.
@Justin Robinson: And his dad is called Ilya.
@Justin Robinson: Thanks, he could be Russian or of Russian descent. However, if you know his father is Russian then that clears that up. Whatever the case, the surname is Polish in origin. The Polish are very much like the Irish in terms of travel. Just like Murphy is Irish but common throughout the English speaking world. In the end it doesn’t really matter it’s just a name and he’s Irish qualified. ;0)
@Con Cussed: It’s interesting to research these things. I can only suggest you re-Google it because none of the Polish houses you refer to end in ‘ov’ nor is there any mention of the surname even existing in Poland on forebears.io
When Doak was in charge at Ulster he wasn’t a great success and was limited in his attack play – his only contribution was “Doak Ball” – the kick chase. I would be concerned that the U20’s will regress – let’s wait and see!
@Keno: would Humphries have appointed him? Not a good sign of their vision if they see the 20’s playing more conservative rugby.
@Michael Corkery: I was really surprised to see him get the post to be honest. I assume that DH agreed to his appointment – needs a couple more games to see if things improve. I’d be concerned that the U20′s will become a very constrained side and not playing free-flowing rugby involving the whole backline.
@John Ryan & @Michael Corkery: Agree with both these posts. This Squad never played with the integrity that Richie Murphy seemed able to imbue in his U.20 Squads. Possession based game plans with keen awareness of the importance of taking your chances in attack.
No tactical decision making by Captain or the half-backs, as to what tactics suited the Irish Squad skills.
Plenty of talented and committed players in the Squad. Need better team coaching and on-field leadership.
England deserved winners on the (wet) night. They were well coached for a rush defence and hard running crash-ball over the gain line. But is that what U20 rugby player development is about?
Too many Wegians lads on that team