England lay down their omens

Ireland U19 3 England U19 12

The fussy Scot was indecisive and inconsistent and these stars of the future were frustrated by his constant interventions.

England were delighted with the win, their third of five while Ireland will, at least be happy that they matched a bigger side only to fall on the penalty count. It wasn’t quite the inspirational send off Ireland were looking for ahead of next month’s FIRA World Cup in France, but there was positives too.

Ireland dominated the first half from a territorial point of view but had to be happy to be on equal terms at half time. They should probably have made better use of their possession.

Donagh Keeshan kicked them into the lead with a 20th minute penalty before London Irish’s Ross Broadfoot equalised a minute from the break against the run of play.

England started the second half well and Broadfoot kicked an early penalty to settle his team, before stretching their lead with a penalty eleven minutes into the half.

Ireland had claims for a couple of penalties in England territory as the game wore on but they lost the toss of the dice.

Then, with time running out, they were penalised in their own territory and sharp-shooter Broadfoot knocked over his fourth kick to put the game fully beyond reach.

IRELAND: R. McCarron (UCD), M. Hewitt (Skerries), B. O’Donnell (UL Bohemian), G. Stafford (Lansdowne), P. McKenzie (Loughborough), B. Keeshan (UCC), S. Auld (Queens), R. Sweeney (St. Mary’s), R. Quinn (UCC), R. Loughney (Ul Bohemian), Smith (Colston College), M. Melbourne (Garryowen), B. McNamee (Northampton), A. Kavanagh (Garryowen), O. Hennessy (Dungannon).

Replacements: C. Willis (Blackrock) for Auld, D. Gavin (Blackrock) for Quinn, G. Maxwell (Dungannon) for Sweeney (all 59). R. McCarthy (Terenure) for McCarron (62), T. Ryan (Highfield) for Loughney, J. Andress (Belfast Harlequins) for Kavanagh (67)

ENGLAND: O. Morgan, J. Welwood, T. Rock, S. Whalting, T. Ojo, R. Broadfoot, J. Bedford, J. Graham, I. Clunis, D. Wilson, A. W. Bowley, T. Ryder, W. Skinner, R. Thorpe, M. Burgess (Sale).

Replacements: M. Hampson for Wilson (half-time), A. Buist for Bowley (48), M. Hopley for Thorpe (66).

Referee: M. Changleng (Scotland)