Ireland Under 20s

2023 - 3 - 19

under 20s rugby

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Irish Examiner"

Ireland under-20s defeat England to secure back-to-back Grand Slams (Irish Examiner)

IRELAND U20 36 ENGLAND U20 24. Ireland's Under-20s withstood a late comeback from 14-man England in Cork to secure a second Six Nations Grand Slam in a row ...

It was a lucky escape for Murphy’s team and one the Englishmen would rue for matters quickly ran away from them, initially when try-scorer Elliott was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on on 49 minutes. It was England who started the second period on a mission, however, captain Lewis Chessum charging down Gunne’s box kick as Ireland attempted to clear the restart. The nerves quickly dissipated, however when scrum-half Fintan Gunne added Ireland’s sixth try two minutes from time to secure back-to-back titles and add another Grand Slam to the one achieved 24 hours earlier by Johnny Sexton’s team. Ireland struck for their fourth try from the resulting penalty and lineout, No.8 Gleeson claiming his second try and the bonus point with Prendergast slotting the conversion to open a 24-7 lead. The resulting lineout from the penalty was stolen by Chessum but Ireland quickly regrouped and laid siege to the tryline, loosehead prop George Hadden ploughing over for the first try of the half to open a 17-7 lead. Having weathered the early onslaught, England warmed to their task and took the lead on 15 minutes when full-back Sam Harris converted a slick try under the posts for wing Tobias Elliott to finish a move sparked from a strong driving maul.

Six-try Ireland U20s make history with back-to-back Grand Slam titles (The42)

A brace of tries each from Hugh Gavin and Brian Gleeson helped them to an emphatic win over England to bring their flawless run to a perfect end. George Hadden ...

And then Prendergast put it on a plate for Gavin to get his second of the evening. Nicholson was quick to put the pressure on from a kickchase and a penalty was awarded. Substitute Joe Jenkins ran in for England’s second try coming into the final 10 minutes, along with a third from Eliott. Elliott was correctly sent to the bin for the offence. There were several replays shown on the big screen to the chorus of thumping claps in the crowd before referee Adriaan Jacobs eventually ruled out the score. They kicked for the corner from a penalty and began their heave on the five-metre line. The captain Lewis Chessum raced in to charge down an attempted box kick from Gunne. Handling errors were starting to creep into play on both sides, as Ireland’s Gavin and England flanker Greg Fisilau both fumbled the ball forward. The break settled England and they could have added more points when Ireland were punished for offside. On eight minutes, Ireland captain Gus McCarthy made a super dash down the wing and linked up with John Devine to weave through. Prendergast was unlucky to miss from the conversion as he dragged his kick just a touch too acutely. Ireland made history this evening in Cork’s Musgrave Park by becoming the first nation to successfully defend a Six Nations Grand Slam in this competition.

Ireland under-20s complete magic weekend as they secure back-to ... (The Irish Times)

Game against England at Musgrave Park hinged on a wild third quarter.

England scored with their first visit to the Ireland 22 and any notion that the visitors would be brushed aside were disabused with a period of sustained pressure. Turning down a handy three points, Prendergast kicked a penalty to the corner and Ireland marched the England pack over their own line with a devastating lineout maul. England botched the kick-off reception and Ireland jumped all over them, refusing to leave the visitors’ 22 for four hectic minutes until Hugh Gavin scored in the corner, finishing a whiplash pass from the brilliant Prendergast. England loaded the backfield, giving us the front line and asking us to play, and in fairness the lads played and did it very well. In the bedlam, Ireland stretched their lead to 21 points, and all of the stress that had been hanging in the air dissipated like smoke. When it became a one-score game in the final minutes, though, Fintan Gunne darted over in the corner for Ireland’s fifth and final try.

Ireland U20s march to successive Grand Slam titles (RTE.ie)

It's a back-to-back Six Nations grand slam for the Irish U20s after they ran out 36-24 winners over England at Musgrave Park.

Sam Worsley converts from the sideline and it's was a one-score game - 31-24. the kick was to the corner. The lead was extended on 51. Lineout was won and Brian Gleeson was at the back of the maul to crash over the line. Great patience shown by the team as they sucked in the English defence. Hugh Gavin crosses in the corner after Ireland put together a number of phases.

Ireland U20s bag Grand Slam to round off remarkable weekend for ... (RugbyPass)

The Ireland U20s rugby team achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in style, beating England 36-24 at Musgrave Park.

The game was evenly poised in the first half, with both teams exchanging blows and scoring tries. However, Ireland took control in the second half and put in a dominant display, with No.8 Brian Gleeson scoring two tries and fly-half Prendergast controlling the game with his excellent kicking and playmaking skills. The Ireland U20s rugby team achieved a remarkable feat by winning the

Ireland claim Under-20 Grand Slam with England win (BBC Sport)

Hugh Gavin and Brian Gleeson scored first-half tries for the hosts at a soaking Musgrave Park, while Tobias Elliott crossed for England. George Hadden scored ...

"We always talk about putting our foot on their throats and being relentless. "First of all the atmosphere at Musgrave Park, you can't ask for any better than that. Jenkins ran over for a try before Elliott breezed over in the corner to make it a one-score game in the final 10 minutes, but Gunne snuck over in the final two minutes to put the game, title and destination of the Grand Slam beyond all doubt.

Ireland U-20s make it two Grand Slams in 24 hours (Independent.ie)

Two Grand Slams in the space of 24 hours. Pause for a moment and allow that to sink in. These truly are special times for Irish rugby.

Another scintillating break led to a penalty, and Ireland set up the maul from the lineout and drove over, with Gleeson dotting down. Prendergast didn’t need a second invitation to float a lovely pass for Gavin to have an easy run-in after just three minutes. They stayed patient, Mangan making a big carry, until the gap opened up out wide. Pause for a moment and allow that to sink in. England made a mess of the opening kick-off, which allowed Ireland to build through the phases. These truly are special times for Irish rugby.