Second defeat for Ireland U-20s

Ireland U-20 21 England U-20 36, Rosario

The Ireland Under-20s have suffered their second defeat in the IRB Junior World Championship, going down to an English side that dominated possession and territory.

Replacement Freddie Burns scored two second-half tries to decide this Rosario clash, while England also benefited from place-kicker Tom Homer’s 21-point haul.

Full-back Andrew Conway’s try on the stroke of half-time gave Allen Clarke’s youngsters added hope at 16-11 down.

But England managed to stretch their lead before replacement Eoin Griffin grabbed a late consolation score.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Andrew Conway, Eoin Griffin; Con: Noel Reid; Pens: James McKinney 3

England: Tries: Jamie Gibson, Freddie Burns 2; Cons: Tom Homer 3; Pens: Tom Homer 5

IRELAND: Andrew Conway; Nevin Spence, Brendan Macken, Noel Reid, Simon Zebo; James McKinney, John Cooney; Jack O’Connell, Niall Annett, Stewart Maguire, David O’Callaghan, Brian Hayes, Rhys Ruddock (capt), Dominic Ryan, Paddy Butler.

Replacements used: Eoin Griffin for Macken (half-time), Ben Marshall for Hayes (43 mins), Bryan Cagney for O’Connell, Brian O’Hara for Ryan (both 60), Michael Heaney for Cooney, David McSharry for McKinney, David Doyle for Annett (all 71).

ENGLAND: Tom Homer; Christian Wade, Andrew Forsyth, Tom Casson, Sam Smith; Rory Clegg, Charlie Davies; Lee Imiolek, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Charlie Matthews, Jamie Gibson, Jacob Rowan (capt), Alex Gray.

Replacements: Rob Buchanan, Joe Marler, Calum Green, Jackson Wray, Sam Harrison, Freddie Burns, Jonny May.

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)