Irish heroes set sights on Slam

Ireland’s U20s captured their share of the headlines on a dramatic weekend for Six Nations rugby in France when they dug deep for a thrilling victory over Les Bleus, surviving a pulsating finale at the Stade des Alpes, Grenoble on Saturday.

Irish hearts were beating fast in the closing moments as Welsh television match official Derek Bevan took time out to study claims for a French try from number eight Karl Chateau. Bevan ruled his effort inconclusive and Ireland held out for a magnificent and historic triumph, enthusiastically welcomed by coach Mike Ruddock.

It was Ireland’s first victory at this level in France — their best result to date had been a draw — and there were many heroes, not least try scorer Foster Horan and JJ Hanrahan, whose penalty gave Ireland the one point advantage they held to the end.