Ireland gain revenge on Pumitas

Ireland U21 26 Argentina U21 22

Irish out-half Gareth Steenson kicked a game-clinching 16 points including an insurance penalty on the final whistle as Ireland's U21s confidently brushed aside the fancied Argentines 26-22 in windy Dumbreck, Glasgow.

Steenson, who recently signed with AIB League Division One club Dungannon, converted both future club mate Glen Telford and Blackrock centre John Hearty's first half tries as the men in green established a 20-12 break lead.

Turning into a forceful gale, the Irish front eight, who coped well with a bruising Pumitas pack, wilted on the hour mark when a vital scrum on their own line was wheeled, a penalty try was coughed up and the lead as the ball was kicked clean away.

At 22-20 down, Steenson showed his nerve to claim a third penalty almost immediately after and with back row Jamie Heaslip and Ulster wing Tommy Bowe almost touching down at the death, the number 10 clinched victory with a fourth penalty in injury time.

Gaining revenge for last year's 30-19 World Cup defeat by the South American champions was one thing, but a semi-final place is now within manager David Haslett's grasp.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "We contained them well in the first 15 minutes and scored the tries we had to. We'll probably need a win against the French to guarantee a semi-final place but having gone behind into the elements, we showed great spirit to come back again and Gareth epitomised that."

Off a quick forward drive, Steenson slipped in Telford for the first Irish try on 7 minutes. The number 10 converted before his opposite number missed a straight-on penalty. The Argentines came back though with a sizzling try from Roman Miralles as he galloped through the cover from 50 metres out to score in the right corner.

Steenson brought the Irish back 13-5 in front on 26 minutes with the second of a penalty brace before linking with Cork Con's Tomas O'Leary to send Hearty clean through.

Just two minutes before the break Alfredo Cordone converted Marcos Ayerza's left wing try to close the gap to eight.

A dogged and dour second half was sparked into life when the Argentines claimed their penalty try, but the lead was short lived as Steenson kicked the Irish to victory and towards a Saturday clash with France (1.30pm) in Edinburgh.

"We can celebrate a little, but no beers," said Steenson, who recently graduated from QUB with a leisure management qualification. "The French game will be a big test for us, but we drew with them away 20-all in the Six Nations. But to seal the win today with the last kick was very sweet indeed."

Scorers:

Ireland: Tries: G Telford, J Hearty; Cons: G Steenson 2; Pens: G Steenson 4

Argentina: Tries: R Miralles, M Ayerza, Penalty try; Cons: A Cordone 2; Pen: A Cordone