At the third time of asking, Ireland finally triumphed over arch-rivals England in the Junior World Cup in Cape Town yesterday, a victory that puts them into a final play-off for fifth place against France later this week.

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.

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.