U20 losing sequence in pool stage not ‘a sign of malaise’

Head coach Noel McNamara does not believe Ireland’s failure to win a game in the pool stage of the World Rugby U20 Championship should be a cause for alarm.

Two years ago, when Ireland reached the U20 final for the first time, current senior stars Jacob Stockdale, James Ryan and Andrew Porter were in the squad.

Last year Ireland were defeated in all three pool games, including a 69-3 hammering by eventual winners New Zealand, but the narrow losses to Scotland and Italy proved costly and a reduced seeding saw them draw against hosts France and South Africa — both of whom have now reached the semi-finals — this year.