Ruddock’s squad on learning curve as Munster pipped

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock described yesterday’s World Cup warm-up game at Musgrave Park as “a very useful exercise” as he finalises his preparations for next month’s tournament in Italy.

Two tries in the last three minutes gave Ireland a win they hardly deserved after Ruddock gave game time to over 30 players against the Munster Development selection.

Ruddock said: “We learned a bit of a lesson at the breakdown and that is something we will have to work on. But, overall, this was what we wanted, it was nice to get a win but it was never about winning or losing, rather it was to get a look at all these players and help me make the final selection adjustments. We have Leinster next week and we have to do a bit of work at the breakdown and on our defence.”

Munster took the lead when Declan Cusack went over near the posts for a try he converted before Ireland got on the board with a 34th minute penalty from James McKinney.

Munster cranked up the pressure and were rewarded when Luke O’Dea made the crucial break to send Craig O’Hanlon in for an unconverted try in the corner and a 12-3 interval lead.

Ireland hit back ten minutes after the restart with a breakaway try from Paddy Jackson, who also kicked a penalty 15 minutes later to bring his side within a point. Munster hit back with an Ian Nagle try but the second row had to retire with an arm injury and he was followed to the treatment room by Cusack (shoulder).

Ireland came with a late surge, Andrew Boyle scoring near the corner on 80, but Jackson was unable to convert. However, there was just enough time to spoil Munster’s afternoon with Mick McGrath surging over for a try.

IRELAND (First half): T O’Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht), A Boyle (UCD/Leinster), C Hircock (Garryowen/Munster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemian/Munster), C O’Shea (Clontarf/Leinster), J McKinney (Queens/Ulster), K Marmion (UWIC/Exiles), F Belham (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), D Doyle (UCC/Leinster), T Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), D Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht), C O’Flaherty (Cork Con/Munster), S Buckley (Garryowen/Munster), J Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), A Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht).

Replacement: L Marshall (Ballymena//Ulster)) for O’Halloran, N Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) for Doyle (both28), C Carey (Ballymena/Ulster) for Furlong (38).

IRELAND (Second half): L Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster), M McGrath (Clontarf/Leinster), B Macken (Blackrock/Leinster), N McDonald (Exiles), A Boyle (UCD/Leinster), P Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), P Du Toit (UCD/Leinster), A Warwick (Ballymena/Ulster), N Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), C Carey (Ballymena/Ulster), M Kearney (Clontarf/Leinster), I Henderson (Queens/Ulster), S Buckley (Garryowen/Munster), J Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), C O’Flaherty (Cork Constitution/Leinster).

Replacement. D Doyle (UCD/Leinster) for Henderson (48).

MUNSTER DEVELOPMENT: L O’Dea (Shannon), C O’Hanlon (Young Munster), C Bohane (Dolphin), L Kuntz (Garryowen), C Quinn (Cork Constitution), D Cusack (Garryowen), B Slater (UCC), J Cronin (Highfield), N Scannell (Dolphin), J Ryan (UCC), I Nagle (Cork Constitution), B Hayes (Cork Constitution), P Butler (Shannon) P O’Mahony (Cork Constitution).

Replacement: J Holland for Kuntz (32, injured), M Dolan (Ireland under 20) for Slater (36), D Casey (Shannon) for Scannell (37), Hircock for Quinn (47), P O’Regan (UL Bohemian) for Ryan (49), J Quill (Dolphin) for O’Hara (53).

Referee: J Carvill (IRFU).