Irish finish on high but Scannell rues one slip

Ireland’s Under 20s finished on a high to clinch fifth place at the Junior Rugby World Cup in Cape Town yesterday with a comprehensive victory over France in Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.

Mike Ruddock’s team, captained by Munster’s Niall Scannell, had to produce another top class performance to overcome the French but they did so with a bit of style despite having to labour with only 40% of possession.

France scored the only try of the game through centre Geol Fichou, converted by Enzo Selponi, but Ireland were the better side, particularly after they took a 27th-minute lead.