Reuben Crothers bemoans Ireland's slow start 

SLOW START: Reuben Crothers of Ireland in action against Émilien Gailleton of France during the Six Nations U20 summer series match between Ireland and France at Payanini Centre in Verona, Italy. Pic: Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile

Ireland captain Reuben Crothers bemoaned his side’s poor start in their Six Nations Under-20s Summer Series opener as they went down 42-21 to France in Verona.

With the score at 17-0 inside 20 minutes, Ireland had conceded more points in the opening quarter than they did in the entirety of their last meeting with Les Bleulets.