The prospect of a shock victory was but a false promise when Ireland took a 12 points lead into the break in the opening match of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Perpignan.

The morale-boosting result for Peter Malone's injury-ravaged squad will see them compete for ninth place in Sunday's final round.

The New Zealand Under-20s avenged last year's World Rugby U-20 Championship defeat to Ireland in emphatic style by romping to an eleven-try 69-3 victory in sweltering Kutaisi.

The Ireland Under-20s outperformed their English counterparts in a pulsating encounter but just fell short of a final round win at a wind-hit Donnybrook.

Irish captain James Ryan expressed his pride in his teammates’ performances at the World Rugby U-20 Championship and will look back on great memories from the event, but was bitterly disappointed to come up short in the final.

Irish coach Nigel Carolan said he feared the worst when New Zealand cut the gap to four points in the closing stages of their thrilling World Rugby U-20 Championship clash but felt his men had the composure to respond.

Ireland’s promising hooker Zack McCall says the World Rugby U-20 Championship is a huge stepping stone for anyone hoping to become a professional rugby player.

Ireland U-20s 18 Argentina U-20s 16

Ireland coach Nigel Carolan has been forced to make a late change ahead of their opening game in the World Rugby U-20 Championship against Argentina in Parma today.