This really was the one that got away for the Irish U20’s as they spurned a great chance to qualify in the top four of the IRB 2012 JWC losing to England 20 – 15 after clocking up a 3 – 15 lead at the break.

Ireland really should have scored more points in the first half and will rue only scoring five points during the period when England were down to 13 men. England, on the other hand, made their man advantage count when Ireland’s Shane Buckley was carded getting a penalty try and the decisive winning score during his absence.

England went into an early lead through a Heathcote penalty after 4 minutes, but Ireland worked their way back into the game with wings Sam Coghlan Murray and Barry Daly looking dangerous with the ball in hand. A fantastic run from Daly on the 14th minute put Ireland on the front foot deep in the England 22 and a quick recycle saw JJ Hanrahan stretch over the line for Ireland’s first try. Hanrahan converted and Ireland led 3 – 12.

Shortly after England’s Will Addison was carded for a dangerous tackle on Iain Henderson and when, six minutes later, Dom Barrow followed him to the bin for killing the ball the Wolf Cubs had an ideal chance to rack up a decisive score having a two player advantage.

Unfortunately, poor conditions and England dictated the pace of the game and Ireland only managed a try from Kieran Marmion, out wide with Hanrahan missing the conversion, as the sin bin periods counted down. With both sides restored to their full complement Ireland did manage a further penalty before the break giving them a 3 – 15 lead as they changed ends, but it should have been a lot more.

The big England side pack dominated proceedings after the break and kept Ireland pinned in their own half for most of the second half. Tom Heathcote knocked over his second penalty shortly after the re-start and on the 62nd minute the big English pack forced the decisive play of the game. A strong 5m scrum from the English eight saw Ireland retreating over their own line at a rate of knots only for replacement Buckley to break and attempt to kill the ball. A penalty try and yellow card later England were within two points with the score reading England 13 Ireland 15 and as the conditions worsened it looked ominous for the Irish lads.

Sure enough, four minutes later the England pack drove over from an attacking lineout with Kyle Sinckler touching down at the back of a maul and with Heathcote converting England led 20 – 15.

As the pitch cut up in the final quarter so did Ireland’s chances and the Irish youngsters failed to find a response. England managed to close out the game comfortably enough leaving Ireland ruing their chances.

Ireland: Des Merry, Niall Scannell (C), Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Jordon Coghlan, Conor Gilsenan, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, JJ Hanrahan, Sam Coghlan Murray, Chris Farrell, Foster Horan, Barry Daly, Peter Nelson. Replacements: James Rael, Peter Reilly, Jake Cawley, Alan O’Connor, Shane Buckley, Luke McGrath, Jack Carty, Stuart Olding