MIKE RUDDOCK’S IRELAND U20s will face their English counterparts in the semi-finals of the 2014 Junior World Championship on Sunday.
The fixture takes place at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, with kick-off set for 6.05am Irish time.
Ireland secured their qualification into a first-ever semi-final in this competition with a bonus-point 38-0 victory over Fiji in the early hours of this morning. Thereafter, Ruddock and his men had to wait on other results to learn the identity of their opponents.
England’s 17-16 victory over Argentina saw them qualify as the 2nd Seed [the pool winner with the second-most competition points], meaning they face 3rd Seed Ireland [the pool winner with the third-most competition points].
In the other semi-final, South Africa [1st Seed] will face hosts New Zealand [4th Seed], who went through as the best runners-up of the three groups after an eight-try 54-7 demolition of Scotland.
Ireland face a tough task against the English, who scored 15 tries in winning all three of their Pool A games against Argentina, Australia and Italy. Captained by the superb Saracens lock Maro Itoje, they also have the tournament’s top try-scorer in their ranks in winger Nathan Earle [five tries].
Ruddock was happy with a “good effort” from his Jack O’Donoghue-captained side against Fiji, and admitted that the performance of 19-year-old centre Garry Ringrose was excellent for the second consecutive game.
“He’s a year young, so he’s going to be in the World Cup next year if he stays fit, please God,” Ruddock told Irish Rugby. “Harrison Brewer, who came off the bench, is a year young too, so that looks a good combination for the future.
Garry Ringrose has got exceptional feet, he’s got great acceleration off the mark, he’s a very talented boy. He kicks goals as well, kicked our first one. So he’s got a big future in front of him.
“Clearly today, to be able to elude defenders in those conditions, it just shows the quality he’s got. He’s putting himself out on the world stage now and hopefully, like the rest the boys, they’ll rest up and give a good account of themselves in the semi.”
Ruddock confirmed that Young Munster’s Dan Goggin “took a heavy knock” against the Fijians and may struggle to recover with a five-day turnaround before Ireland face England.
