It was an emotional day all round in Manchester on Saturday when Ireland beat New Zealand 33-24 in the World Rugby U20 Championship, but nobody fluctuated as violently through the full gamut of emotions as Irish hooker Adam McBurney.

Munster supporters who were enthused by the displays of out-half Johnny Holland in the latter stages of the season will also have been impressed by the performance of Bill Johnston on his debut for the Irish U20s on Tuesday night.

Isa Nacewa has failed in his attempt to bring ‘the next Joe Schmidt’ to Leinster.

Ireland’s new captain Josh Murphy says the squad has put the disappointment of the New Zealand loss behind them and are now determined to claim fifth place in the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Ireland U20 coach Nigel Carolan said he was proud of the effort made by his men and they would learn from the chastening experience of trying to beat New Zealand.

Ireland 3 New Zealand 25: The fairytale did not happen but neither did the nightmare.

Had things gone differently, then former Limerick minor hurler Stephen Fitzgerald might be preparing for a big one in the Gaelic Grounds instead of being part of an Irish squad bidding for glory at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

Ireland lock Jack Dwan has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Rugby U20 Championship with a shoulder injury sustained in the final minute of Saturday’s win over Scotland.

A winner-take-all clash with New Zealand is Ireland’s prize for Saturday’s four-point victory (24-20) over Scotland in Saturday’s World Rugby U20 Championship Pool game in Calvisano.

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has been sacked with Ireland assistant Les Kiss stepping in as interim director of rugby at Ravenhill.

New Zealand U20s 45 Ireland U20s 23

New Zealand U-20s 45 Ireland Under-20s 23

Munster put some gloss on a losing weekend yesterday when the province announced the capture of former New Zealand Junior World Cup-winning captain Tyler Bleyendaal on a three-year contract.

IRB JUNIOR WORLD CUP POOLS:

The Ireland Under-20s were within a converted try of a famous win over perennial IRB Junior World champions New Zealand at the end of a titanic tussle in Vannes.

Skipper Luke McGrath could this evening become the first man to lead an Irish team to victory over New Zealand in a competitive fixture when they take on the Baby Blacks in the key Pool B game in the Junior World Championship (kick-off 5.45pm Irish time, live on TG4).

Ireland Under-20s 46 Fiji Under-20s 3

Ireland 19 Australia 15

From one All Blacks legend to another, fly-half Dan Carter yesterday paid a touching tribute to Munster captain and former team-mate Doug Howlett, who on Tuesday announced his retirement with immediate effect due to a shoulder injury.

Incoming Connacht head coach Pat Lam is beginning to stamp his authority on the squad, with the province today confirming the acquisition of 20-year-old New Zealander Jake Heenan.

Incoming Munster coach Rob Penney was left with an unwanted distinction yesterday after he oversaw New Zealand’s first ever Junior World Championship defeat.

Ulster added another major piece to their set-up for next season when they announced the signing of New Zealander Mark Anscombe as head coach on a two-year contract.

IF we thought New Zealand were an intimidating prospect before, imagine them after four success U20 world titles.

IRELAND put up a brave display against New Zealand at the IRB Junior World Championship yesterday before two second-half tries from the champions proved decisive in a physical battle in Nagoya, Japan.

New Zealand 65 Ireland 10

RAVENHILL will be close to capacity tonight for Ireland’s win-or-bust final pool clash with South Africa in the IRB World U-19 Championship.

WALES crashed to a 37-14 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the opening Division A game of the U19 World Cup in Belfast.

THE IRB Under-19 World Championship has a high profile around sunny Belfast.

The New Zealand youth side will play three games on a short tour of Ireland, beginning with a game against their Connacht counterparts this evening in Buccaneers RFC, Athlone (kick off 7pm).