Newcestown 1-18 Mallow 1-16: Intense and exciting throughout, this memorable Cork Premier IHC semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night ended with fans on both sides having palpitations as Mallow threw everything at last year’s beaten finalists in a bid to grab a final place.

Munster 28 Gloucester 17

Blackrock 4-18 Mallow 0-15

Ireland’s hopes of reaching the IRB Junior World Championship semi-finals will rest on the team that broke their hearts in South Africa last night.

Ireland U20s captain Niall Scannell warned his Junior World Championship giantkillers that this week’s upset of South Africa will count for nothing against England this evening.

Ireland’s U20 Grand Slam dream died at Adams Park in High Wycombe last night after they failed to fully recover from a strong opening by England.

Second-half drop goals from half-backs Luke McGrath and Paddy Jackson against Wales set the Ireland U20s on a Grand Slam journey back in February but the duo are not underestimating the final road block.

IRELAND U20s suffered heartbreak in their opening IRB Junior World Championship clash against England in a thrilling Pool C clash last night.

Ireland U20 15England U20 46

IRELAND Under 20s can lay down a marker tonight as they attempt to stop England clinching a Grand Slam at Dubarry Park.

IF THIS was a learning process for the Irish players, their coach Colin McEntee will have learned more than most of them in what was a high-skilled, highly entertaining uncapped Age Grade international at Anglesea Road yesterday.