Ireland U18s beat England to reach final

The Ireland U18 club side continued their great run of form in the FIRA U18 Championships in France by defeating England U18 10-7 today to reach the final of the competition for the first time.

Ireland opened the scoring with a long-range penalty from wide on the right touch line through outhalf Niall Earls to go three up.

Heavy pressure by the England pack on the Irish line soon followed, but great spoiling work by Scrumhalf Charlie Mulchrone saw Ireland win a penalty to clear the danger.

Ireland then threatened the English line with several rolling mauls from lineouts and after 28 minutes, Charlie Mulchrone broke to feed loosehead prop Jason East to score the vital try.

The score was also converted by Earls, but Ireland were dealt a blow when the outhalf had to leave the field injured just before the break.

England came back strongly in the second period and scored a converted try five minutes into the half to make it 10-7.

The rest of the game saw Ireland dominate proceedings. They could have scored after two breaks by outhalf replacement Rory Stynes and the sprightly Mulchrone.

The Ireland defence held firm to see out the rest of the game and give Ireland a deserved victory over a very strong England team.

Ireland will now play France in the final on Saturday in Dax.

“The boys really played some excellent rugby and got exactly what they deserved,” said head coach Greg Lynch.

“England were a good side and but I think that we were unlucky not to extend our lead.

“Our defence had to be good, as did all facets of our game, but they stuck to their task and were superb.

“The next challenge for the team is to go one step further against France and to do that we will have to up our performance again.”