Ireland Schools take England Schools scalp

The Ireland Schools added the England Schools to the scalp of the French Schools at Templeville Road today before next week's Schoolboys International Champioship decider against the Wales Schools.

Ireland Schools 35, England Schools 26 (full-time)

The Ireland Schools added the England Schools to the scalp of the French Schools at Templeville Road today before next week's Schoolboys International Championship decider against the Wales Schools.

Ireland were quickly out of the blocks and a slick, short pass from centre Mark Scott put Andrew Trimble over in the left corner in the first minute.

Then, out-half Fergal Lawlor sent Stephen Grissing hurtling through with an inside pass. Eamon Fitzgerald converted and knocked over an 11th minute penalty to make it 15-0.

A rout looked on the cards until England began to put some phases together. Out-half Ryan Lamb had the strength to make the line and convert in the 24th minute to leave it 15-7 at the break.

They key was Ireland's ability to strike first and often. The second-half opened up with Fitzgerald kicking a penalty and scrum-half Duncan Williams crashing over from close range for a 25-7 lead.

Thereafter, England were always chasing a game that was beyond them. They did have fluent movement and three more tries from Mark Simpson-Daniel, Jordan Crane and Stuart Mackie, but the Irish didn't flag and openside Gavin Murphy and Fitzgerald went over for their fourth and fifth tries, respectively.

Scorers:

Ireland Schools: A Trimble, S Grissing, G Murphy, D Williams try each; E Fitzgerald try, 2 pens, 2 cons.

England Schools: R Lamb try, 3 cons; S Mackie, M Simpson-Daniel, J Crane try each.