Nigel Carolan’s Irish side will bid to create their own bit of history today when they take on Argentina at Manchester Academy Stadium in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Ireland U20s 35 Georgia U20s 7: The Etihad Stadium was rocking to 51,000 fans last night as Manchester favourites The Stone Roses blasted out, but 200 metres away it was the Fields of Athenry which heard in the evening sunshine as Ireland celebrated getting to the World Rugby U-20 Championship semi-finals.

Ireland will be bidding to prevent a fourth successive loss at this level when they take on Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales in the opening game of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Manchester today (5.30pm).

Ireland 19 Italy 13: Fitful, imprecise and, for large periods, distinctly unimpressive.