England U20s 42

Ireland U20s 15

IRELAND U20s COULD not cope with the superior pace, power and skill of their English counterparts as they suffered a 42-15 defeat in the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship in New Zealand.

Mike Ruddock’s men battled throughout a difficult 80 minutes at QBE Stadium, but England deservedly crossed for five tries in a dominant performance. Ireland now move on to prepare for the 3rd/4th place play-off against the losers of the South Africa v New Zealand semi-final.

In North Harbour, England were on the scoreboard as early as the 4th minute, when out-half Billy Burns slotted a penalty. Minutes later centre Harry Sloan dashed over to the right of the posts after an incisive passage of English attack.

Burns converted that score, before adding another penalty to put Nick Walshe’s team 13-0 ahead. Ireland out-half Ross Byrne replied with three points of his own from the tee to get his side into the game on the 19-minute mark.

However, the English onslaught proved impossible to halt, as Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Howard Packman and Tom Woolstencroft all dotted down before half time. With Burns converting all three scores, England led 34-3 at the break.

Packman dropped a goal from close range in the 47th minute, before Ireland finally manufactured a try of their own. Byrne’s intelligent grubber kick metres from the England tryline bounced up perfectly for Garry Ringrose to gather and score.

Again England bounced back strongly from the Irish score, with flanker Gus Jones touching down at the tail of the latest unstoppable close-range maul. The sheer power and cohesion of the England pack was all too much for Ireland.

With Ruddock emptying his bench in the final 15 minutes, there was a try of noteworthy quality from Ireland. Conor McKeon’s wide pass allowed Harrison Brewer to get outside his man, before passing to wing Alex Wootten.

The former Northampton academy player – now with Munster – finished in style, capping off an improved second-half display by Ireland.
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A final attack from England, who had superior athletes all over the pitch, saw Ireland fullback Cian Kelleher sin-binned and Ruddock’s men will reflect on a disappointing outing in which they were physically swept aside by the English.

Walshe’s men advance to the final buoyed by an impressive display in this comprehensive victory.